This is the story of Tracy, one of the young adults in our Anchorage Transitional Living Program. Thank you to Jamie Erkoboni, a member of our Anchor House staff and Communications Workgroup, for writing this story.
Tracy became a resident of the Anchorage Transitional Living Program after her father told her to leave home because he did not approve of her lifestyle choices. Suddenly, without a safe place to live, Tracy faced the possibility of trying to manage school, work, and survival on her own. Tracy shares that she knew in order to better her life, she would need to earn a degree, work hard, and save money. Without Anchor House, that dream could look very different today.
Since arriving in 2024, Tracy has been building the foundation for the future she wants. She is currently in her second year at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, studying Biomedical Sciences full time. Although she has not yet chosen a specific career path, she knows she wants to work in the medical field where she can make a difference in the lives of others. Tracy is also an active member of the NJ Army National Guard, a commitment she began at just 17 years old.
Anchor House has been more than a roof over her head; it has been a community. Tracy recalls one of her favorite memories: a two-day retreat with her fellow residents at the Princeton-Blairstown Center, an outdoor program designed to strengthen social and emotional learning. She reflects how great it felt to spend time away and be in a new setting with her peers. Additionally, Tracy was honored as a recipient of the Douglas C. McCune Memorial Award, a distinction that reflects both her resilience and her commitment to building a brighter future. Each year, these financial awards are presented at the Anchor House Foundation Ride for Runaways banquet to young adults in Anchor House programs like Tracy to help them pursue their goals.
Tracy credits much of her progress to the staff at Anchorage. Her Case Manager, Amanda Allison, has been a steady guide, especially when the demands of coursework feel overwhelming. Anchorage Life Skills Counselor Taylor Carmona is also supportive and provides a listening ear, giving Tracy a safe space to express her emotions. “It’s strange at first, having adults who really care how you’re doing every single day,” Tracy admitted. “But over time, it starts to make sense. That support is what carries you forward.”
Tracy’s resilience is clear in the goals she has set for herself: completing her degree, securing a career in medicine, and one day having her own place and car, becoming more independent and self-reliant. She knows how different her story could have been without Anchor House. Instead of struggling to survive, she is dedicated to achieving her goals, building a future defined by strength and independence.
