“My name is Shelbie, and I am 26 years old. I have three children who are seven years old, six years old and one year old. I have lived at The Vine [formerly Baptist Children’s Home, OKC] for almost six months now. I decided to come to The Vine after I graduated from Jordan’s Crossing. I was so excited when I was informed you get to have your children live with you at The Vine!
“One thing I like most about living on campus is the great support you get from everyone.”
“Life in White Cottage is amazing! I get to live in a beautiful home, and I also get to meet some super sweet moms. I could not have asked for a better family advisor. She is such a support and mentor to me in our cottage.
“My day-to-day life starts off with taking my one-year-old to daycare and then going to school from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. After I pick my daughter up from daycare, I go home to cook dinner, or I go to an AA meeting, and then it is bathtime and bedtime! Some of my favorite things are going to AA meetings and helping others work through the steps of AA, and I love taking my kids to the park on campus.
“I dropped out of school in the 11th grade. I was given the opportunity to live at Jordan’s Crossing in October 2023, and upon arrival they had sign-up for G.E.D. testing. I figured, ‘Why not?’ While at Jordan’s Crossing, I passed my reading, writing and science test, leaving only my math and social studies. When I got to The Vine, I enrolled in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program and was working on my last test. On April 18, 2024, I earned my diploma along with an outstanding student achievement award! I decided to pursue my education because I wanted to make my family proud and also teach my children to never give up. I am currently working on my nursing degree at Oklahoma City Community College, and I chose this path because I am very passionate about helping others.
“Something I have recently learned at Bible study is trusting God with everything. Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV) says, ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.’ I am seeing the verse play out in my life right now! God has given me so many blessings and has opened many doors for me.
I am so proud of my resilience and determination to excel in life. My hope for the future is to earn my nursing degree, get a good job and give my children the absolute best life possible.
“If I had to give any advice to someone who was nervous about coming to our campus, I would say, ‘I was nervous too, but it was the best choice I have made, and now I have an incredible support group/ family.’”
The Vine and Baptist Children’s Home both offer care for single moms and their children. The goal of these campuses is to help the families become productive and more self-sufficient by providing a safe, stable and nurturing place to live, while equipping, assisting and teaching important skills that assist both the mother and the children.
