From Struggles to Strength: One mom's transformation
September 23, 2024

How a Single Mom in Addiction Recovery Transformed Her Life

to Become a Recovery Coach

As a single mother in addiction recovery, trying to balance work and school, Maggie Memmott turned to CAPCIL for support through the Head Start program. She never imagined she would find a community of people that would eventually feel like family. Maggie shared, “they didn’t just help my kids; they supported me immensely with kind words and encouragement, pushing me to believe I could achieve great things. And whenever my kids or I needed something that CAPCIL didn’t offer, they always provided the information we needed.” The CAPCIL community welcomed Maggie without judgment, cheering her on as she continued on her journey to becoming the best version of herself.


Growing up, Maggie was surrounded by addiction and had a front row seat to the devastating impact it can have on a child’s life. She endured both physical and emotional trauma leaving her feeling voiceless, anxious and scared. Sadly, school was no escape. Kids were mean and exacerbated the thoughts of shame, isolation, and inadequacy. Eventually, around age 14, Maggie began developing her own addictions and fell into the difficult path she had always known.


Maggie reached her lowest point when her children were taken away. As a loving mother who knew all too well the pain of growing up in an environment plagued by addiction, she found a powerful motivation to break the cycle and create a better future for her family. This journey demanded immense grit and strength, requiring daily resilience and perseverance. Despite the challenges, she fought tirelessly for her sobriety and ultimately regained custody of her children.


Support can be one of the most challenging barriers for someone struggling with addiction. Without the support of Head Start, Maggie wouldn’t have been able to attend school or work. Now, she is paying it forward by working at the Piatt County Mental Health Center. There, she has found meaningful work as a coordinator and recovery coach, helping those suffering from substance and alcohol abuse. Maggie’s story is a testament to the CAPCIL belief that by helping one person at a time, you can ultimately change the lives of many.


Samantha Carton

Freelance Writer

9/17/2024


Maggie is a dedicated mother with a child who has graduated from Head Start, another child currently enrolled, and one in Early Head Start. She has also received valuable assistance through CAPCIL’s LIHEAP program and CSBG Case Management, highlighting the range of support CAPCIL provides to families.

From Uncertainty to Opportunity: One Mother’s Journey Toward a Brighter Future

By Breann Titus • March 24, 2026
Last summer, Paige made the courageous decision to leave an unsafe and unhealthy living situation. With her three children, she relocated to Logan County in search of stability, safety, and a better environment for her family. During that transition, they stayed on a friend’s couch while Paige worked to determine their next steps. By September, Paige and her children were able to move into their own apartment with the help of income-based housing. At the time, Paige was not working, so having rent based on her income created a crucial foundation of stability. With safe housing secured, she began thinking beyond immediate needs and started focusing on long-term goals. That’s when Paige shared something powerful: she wanted to earn her real estate license. She had already researched schools and found an online program—her only barrier was the cost. Together, we began working on scholarship paperwork and gathering the necessary documents, including her high school transcript, to explore funding options. In the meantime, an unexpected blessing arrived. Paige’s stepmother generously offered to cover the cost of her realtor classes. Paige immediately enrolled and began taking courses online, motivated and ready to build a new future. Then another challenge arose—her laptop broke. For many, that might have been enough to pause or postpone their plans. But not Paige. Determined to keep moving forward, she continued attending classes on her phone. While she made it work, certain assignments and features were difficult to access without a computer. When Paige mentioned the issue, CAPCIL staff reached out internally to see if we could help. With supervisor approval, we were able to lend her a laptop so she could fully participate in her coursework. Today, Paige is already halfway through her realtor classes. In just a few short months, she has navigated relocation, housing instability, financial barriers, and technical challenges—all while parenting three children and supporting her son Jaqson as he adjusts to a new school and community. Through it all, Paige has remained focused on creating a brighter future for her family. She has not allowed her circumstances to define her. Instead, she continues to push forward, setting goals and working diligently to achieve them. Her story is a powerful reminder that with stability, encouragement, and community support, families can move from crisis to confidence. We are honored to be part of Paige’s journey and can’t wait to see what she accomplishes next. 💙 ~Submitted by Danelle Clutter, CAPCIL Family Advocate

From Barriers to New Beginnings: Journey to Safe, Stable Housing

By Breann Titus • February 24, 2026
In September 2024, Hayle first connected with our team when her son, Grayson, enrolled in our Menard County Head Start program. What began as a typical school-year relationship between a parent and our staff quickly grew into something more — a partnership focused on stability, advocacy, and hope. Over time, Hayle began sharing some of the challenges she was facing. She and Grayson were living in a trailer that had ongoing maintenance issues. Pipes frequently broke, the furnace did not function properly, and repairs were a constant financial strain. The instability of the home environment added stress to an already difficult season of life. At the same time, Grayson was celebrating remission from cancer — a milestone that came after an incredibly challenging journey for their family. While navigating follow-up care and the emotional weight that comes with recovery, Hayle remained determined to give her son as much normalcy as possible. Near the end of the school year, another obstacle arose when the engine in Hayle’s car failed. Without bus transportation available, she worked tirelessly to find ways to get Grayson to school most days. Her resilience and commitment to her son’s education never wavered, even when reliable transportation was no longer an option. Earlier in January 2025, Hayle had applied for public housing in Petersburg and was placed on a waiting list. By August, she still had not received any updates. After reaching out to the local housing authority, we learned that a lease from more than eight years ago — tied to a previous relationship — had an unpaid balance that was preventing her approval. As part of her ongoing engagement as a CSBG client for over a year, Hayle had consistently worked toward improving her family’s situation. After speaking with the property manager and explaining her circumstances, the housing authority agreed to give her a second chance if the outstanding balance could be resolved. With approval from leadership, we were able to assist in paying the remaining amount owed on the prior lease. One month later, Hayle received life-changing news: her application had been approved, and her apartment keys were ready. Today, Hayle and Grayson are living in a safe, stable apartment in the same town as Grayson’s school. The move has relieved the financial burden of constant home repairs and made school attendance far more manageable while Hayle continues working toward securing reliable transportation. Stories like Hayle’s remind us that community action is about more than services — it is about relationships, advocacy, and removing barriers that stand in the way of stability. We are proud of Hayle’s perseverance and honored to have walked alongside her family on this journey toward a brighter future. ~Submitted by Danelle Clutter, CAPCIL Family Advocate