Unbreakable: Jawanna’s Journey from Truck to Triumph

In the depths of desperation, Jawanna's life seemed to unravel like a fragile thread. Homeless and living in a truck with her husband and two sons, she faced a moment that would define her entire existence. Then came the stroke, a sudden, devastating health crisis that threatened to break her spirit completely.

"Life is lifing," Jawanna would later say, her philosophy of resilience echoing through her remarkable journey. When a compassionate school officer discovered her family's dire situation, he connected them with Danielle Walters, Director of Women and Family Services at New Directions who would become her lifeline.

While Jawanna recovered in a nursing home, her husband and sons found shelter at New Direction’s Family Shelter. Her children, Samuel and Samir, both on the autism spectrum, became her greatest source of strength. Samir, her younger son, was a medical miracle. Born as a twin and given little chance of survival, he defied every medical prediction, battling cystic fibrosis and multiple health challenges with an indomitable spirit. To this day, he faces challenges because of his tracheostomy tube

Jawanna's path was marked by extraordinary resilience. Pronounced dead twice, she refused to surrender. Her weapon was an unexpected one - humor. Even when losing a leg, she would joke about paying half price for pedicures, turning potential tragedy into a moment of laughter.

Her faith became her anchor. Through end-stage renal failure, multiple hospitalizations, and the constant challenge of supporting her medically fragile children, Jawanna maintains an unbreakable optimism. "If I can do it," she would passionately tell others, “anybody can do it."

With Danielle's unwavering support, Jawanna and her family found hope. They transitioned from living in a truck to securing their own home, transforming their lives through determination, faith, and the support of compassionate community resources.

Her story is more than a tale of survival. It's a testament to the human spirit's capacity to rise, to hope, and to triumph against seemingly insurmountable odds.