The day Jade was born, Sybil and Drake made a promise: to give her the love, care, and stability they hadn’t always had growing  up. It was a heartfelt commitment, but it quickly became clear how challenging it would be.

Both carried scars from their childhoods. Sybil, one of seven siblings, grew up in a household where she spent a lot of time taking care of others, rather than enjoying her childhood. Drake, raised by a single mother, saw his father’s alcoholism create a painful void. Determined to break those cycles, Drake quit drinking and Sybil started taking better care of herself, vowing to build a better future for Jade. But once she arrived, the weight of their past crept in. Sybil was consumed with anxiety, constantly checking on Jade at night. Drake struggled with self-doubt; afraid he wouldn’t be enough as a father.

When they heard about CAPS and the Healthy Families program, they were hesitant to let someone into their home. When they met Niki, their family support specialist, everything changed. Niki wasn’t there to judge; she was there to help. She gave them practical advice, like creating a safe sleep space, and encouraged them to trust themselves as parents.

“Niki helped me realize I don’t have to be perfect to be a good mom,” Sybil said. “I just need to be present and trust myself.”

Drake added, “She reminded me that by simply loving Jade and showing up, I was already giving her what I never had. That changed everything for me.”

Over time, fear and doubt gave way to confidence. Their home transformed into a place of love and stability. CAPS didn’t just help Sybil and Drake become better parents, it helped them break free from the past and rewrite their family’s story. Today, Jade is growing up in a home filled with joy, and Sybil and Drake are keeping the promise they made the day she was born.