Mercia has been part of Nomi Network’s Building a Better Future: Youth Workforce Development Program in Dallas for over two years. Having faced significant challenges after her release from the juvenile justice system, Mercia sought support and direction. She was a child who slipped through every safety net, finding herself without stable housing, often relying on couch surfing, and struggling to meet basic needs for things like clothes, hygiene products, and food. Throughout these hardships, the Dallas staff assisted her by providing these essentials.
Mercia committed herself to returning to school through her involvement in the program. However, she faced obstacles due to a lack of family support and the inability to obtain the necessary identification for enrollment or employment. After a re-arrest, she found herself back within the juvenile justice system. Nonetheless, she remained engaged with the program and her case manager, demonstrating remarkable resilience.
Nomi Network staff contacted community partners, who assisted Mercia in accessing funds through victim compensation and obtaining identification. After temporarily relocating to Georgia, she again reentered school. She remained connected with her Dallas Case Manager, who provided ongoing encouragement and emotional support.
For youth like Mercia, due to a lack of resources or being in a juvenile justice facility, common high school milestones such as homecoming and prom are often out of reach. While in Georgia, she attended her first prom. And this June, Mercia graduated after many starts and stops and much hard work! She is currently back in Dallas working with her Nomi Network Case Manager to find the right education or training program with her Nomi Network Case Manager.
Mercia’s story is a powerful testament to the transformative impact of long-term investment in a young woman’s life. She attributes much of her success to the program and the unwavering support of Nomi staff. Mercia now shares her journey on social media to inspire other women as she has been inspired.
