top of page
Search

From Uncertainty to Hope: Emma's Story

  • hello82307
  • Nov 4
  • 2 min read

Emma stands in a sunlit field of tall, golden grass, wearing a straw cowboy hat and a sleeveless gray top. She holds an open teal Bible and smiles softly at the camera, with warm evening light casting a golden glow.

When Emma was just 18, her life was marked by uncertainty. “My life before Transitional Youth was very chaotic,” she shared. “There was no structure, I didn’t have a good community, and most importantly, I didn’t have a relationship with the Lord.”


Moving from one place to another without stability, Emma longed for something more—peace, purpose, and a sense of belonging. When she learned about Harmony House, one of Transitional Youth’s residential programs for girls, she made the brave decision to take her first step toward change. “It was a matter of recognizing that I needed help because I knew I couldn’t do it by myself,” Emma said.


Emma sits on a dark brown horse in an outdoor corral at Echo Ranch, leaning forward to hug the horse’s neck with her eyes closed and a peaceful smile. She wears a black shirt, jeans, and cowboy boots, with a blue house and cloudy sky in the background.

Finding Stability and Faith


At Harmony House, Emma found the stability and community she had been missing. Living alongside other girls and caring for horses at Echo Ranch, she began to rebuild her life.


The combination of stability, daily responsibilities, and Christ-centered mentorship helped her rediscover who she was—and her immeasurable value in Jesus.

“Harmony House gave me the opportunity to feel loved and appreciated again,” she reflected. “It helped me rebuild relationships with my family and grow in my relationship with Jesus.”

Growth Through Mentorship


Her mentor, Naomi, walked closely with her throughout the year—helping Emma set weekly goals, complete schoolwork, and grow in faith. Through hard work and perseverance, Emma graduated from Transitional Youth's one-year program in August 2025, marking a milestone in her journey toward independence and healing.


“It wasn’t by chance that I ended up at Transitional Youth,” Emma shared. “God put me there because He knew I needed a good community and a chance to rebuild my relationships—with my family and with Him. The Lord helped me trust people again and grow in His love for me.”
Emma wearing a red and black plaid shirt kneels beside a black and white horse adorned with a decorative bridle featuring turquoise accents. She smiles warmly while holding the horse’s reins in a grassy outdoor setting.

A New Chapter Ahead


Today, at 20 years old, Emma is thriving. She lives with her mom, works with horses, and continues to pursue her high school diploma. She’s still discovering what her future holds but is confident that God is guiding her every step.


“I have a great relationship with my family, amazing friends, and a job I love,” she said. “It’s all because of the Lord and the things I learned at Transitional Youth.”


When asked what she would say to someone walking through a season like hers, Emma’s encouragement is simple but powerful:


“Get out. There’s so many better things out there for you—you just have to ask for help. It will be hard at first, but God will pull you through and show you all the good things He has for you.”

Four women stand together at Braking Cycles Coffee and Bike Shop, smiling for a photo. The woman second from the left holds a certificate of graduation, while the others stand proudly beside her. A blue bicycle is mounted on the wall behind them with the words “For the Love of Portland” displayed as part of the decor.

Join Us in Transforming Lives


Every day, young people like Emma are finding hope and healing through Transitional Youth’s programs that offer safe housing, vocational training, community, and mentorship —but we can’t do it alone.


Your support helps provide residential housing, Christ-centered guidance, and invaluable life skills for at-risk youth ready to build a better future.




 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page