Michelle McEwen's Story

Michelle is the single parent of a five year old little boy named Ben and is currently working full- time at St. Cloud Technical College. Even though Michelle is doing well for herself and creating a happy and healthy home for her son, she came from very rough beginnings. Due to generational abuse in the family, she was forced to leave her home at the age of eighteen without a place to live and without any opportunities to help her.  Struggling to survive, she found an escape through substance abuse.

When she learned that she was pregnant with Ben, Michelle moved to the St. Cloud area and found help at New Beginnings.  There she was supplied with positive role models and motivation to fight her addictions and begin her education. Over the past five years, Michelle has worked her way from homelessness to earning a college degree, from substance abuse to having long term financial goals and having steady employment. All of this was achieved through her strong independent spirit and love for her son.

Currently they have housing through HRA, a transition housing program. Michelle has been working hard on her new home in Donovan Lakes, which was the location of this year's Women Build, and is eager for Ben to move into his new home. We enjoy having them as one of our partner families and wish them a wonderful future!