Carmen
Garrison, NY
1970
A Life Built to Last
Carmen’s story didn’t end when she left Hoving Home.
At just 24 years old, she stepped into a world that felt uncertain. The structure and support she had known were behind her, and ahead was the challenge of building a life on her own.
Returning home to the Baltimore area, Carmen knew she needed support. God placed a trusted friend and mentor in her life who helped her adjust to everyday life. With that guidance, she found stability, securing a job, buying a car, and beginning to take steady steps forward.
But what shaped her most wasn’t just what she rebuilt, it was where she rooted herself.
Carmen found a home church and became deeply involved, serving in ministries that reached incarcerated youth and adults. She taught Sunday School, poured into others, and began to live out her faith in a consistent and meaningful way.
Over time, those steady choices became something much greater.
One of those relationships began through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, where Carmen became a mentor to a young girl. What started as a simple commitment grew into a lifelong bond, a relationship that has now lasted more than 40 years.
Carmen continued to grow, both personally and spiritually. She studied the Bible, completing programs in theology, and pursued additional training in cosmetology and medical fields.
Her life wasn’t built all at once.
It was built step by step.
For more than 30 years, Carmen worked in administrative roles for the Baltimore City government, creating a stable and consistent life. After retiring in 2016, she continues to stay active, working part-time, spending time with family and friends, and investing in the next generation by teaching neighborhood children about God.
Looking back, Carmen’s story is one of quiet faithfulness.
A life shaped not by one moment, but by years of choosing to stay grounded in God.
Her advice is simple:
Stay close to Him.
Stay in prayer.
And when difficult times come, keep your focus on Jesus.
Carmen’s life is a reflection of what can happen when a foundation is built on faith, and lived out, one day at a time.
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