Success Stories
Audrey Johnson-Mondragon
Licensed Practicing Nurse
I was raised by my grandmother in Tallahassee. I graduated from Immokalee High School in 1987 and went into the military from there. I came home in 1994 and got involved with someone that physically abused me to the point that it almost took my life. That's when serious drug issues started. I got pregnant in 1996 with my daughter, and we were basically in and out of homeless shelters around Florida for years. I stayed at St. Matthew's House during this time, but it was only a week or so before I got kicked out for drinking and using drugs. By August 2007 I was really struggling, trying to work, but I couldn't function so I resigned. Then I stayed in my house and did whatever it took to get drugs. My daughter watched as I just fell apart. One day I decided that I didn't want to live like that anymore. I called DCF and had them take my daughter for her safety. I went to David Lawrence Center, and then I came to St. Matthew's House and stayed for five months. This time I followed the rules. They pretty much rescued me, helping with parenting classes, meetings, and a lot of counseling while my daughter stayed in foster care for a year. I moved into Wolfe Apartments in January of '08 and my daughter came home in May. I decided to become a nurse when I saw my mom pass away and how nurturing the people were at Avow Hospice. I started going to Lorenzo Walker in August '08, completed my CNA, and graduated with my LPN degree. I made the National Technology Schools Honor Society. I'm about to take state boards, then start working on my RN. I've learned how to make better decisions and I can finally be a mom to my daughter. St. Matthew's House and Wolfe Apartments have been a lifeline through the whole thing. I encourage people never to give up.