10/18/2026
"Julia" has been her grandson "Jude's" primary caregiver since he was an infant; he's now in first grade.
During that time, she's faced health struggles, divorce and the loss of her grandmother — not to mention having to leave her job as a teacher to better care for Jude following his autism diagnosis.
"[My boss] was harassing me every single day, and I couldn't take the pressure anymore. I knew that I'm intelligent and I've been employed and I could get another job — little did I know it would be so hard," Julia said. "I don't want to say I kind of gave up everything, but I chose to take care of Jude because I couldn't just let him be 'thrown away.'"
Due to her loss of income, she also faced housing struggles. Many days felt heavy.
💙 But when Julia found Atlas Alliance, she found the support she'd been needing.
"The first [support group] meeting I went to, there were so many stories that were similar to mine — and most of them were caring for multiple children, even five or six kids," Julia said. "They gave me a sense of community and a feeling of relief that there was hope.
"This is such a hard season, and I'm just trying to do good by this child."
Since coming to Atlas Alliance, Julia has found a part-time job, secured housing, gained needed resources to care for Jude through his complex needs — and found a group of people who are cheering her on.
"They care about you as a unit, as a family — the things that you're going through," she said. "They reach out and check on you; it's amazing. I'm so appreciative!"
