Cynthia is a young woman who has been supported by The Salvation Army in Switzerland.

‘As children in foster care, my sister and I would wait by the fence every weekend, hoping that our mother would come for us, but she never did. She was forbidden from having contact with us. It was like a sad game of hide and seek. 

‘As a teenager, I kept running away. I struggled with depression, refusing any offer of therapy. It was hard for me to trust people because I had no reason to believe them. I thought this would always be my story.’ When Cynthia started sleeping on the streets, her mental health hit rock bottom. It was then that The Salvation Army in Switzerland offered her a place in an assisted living apartment. ‘It changed my whole life for the better,’ says Cynthia. 

‘I know now, at 20 years old, that accepting help is completely okay. I have been living independently in my apartment for just under a year, but I don’t feel alone. On the contrary, I feel more confident than ever and I know there is always someone there. 

‘I have always believed in God, but during the difficult times of my life, I was less concerned with it all. I was completely on the wrong track, but now I’ve found my faith again. This time my faith comes from the bottom of my heart, not just in my head.’ 

Cynthia is happy in her loft apartment, and continues to be supported by The Salvation Army’s team of specialist carers. This year, she will start her apprenticeship as a carpenter: ‘My hope for the training is that I can become completely independent later. My future is very important to me, and I will give it my all!’

Cynthia's story was originally reported by Irene Gerber for The Salvation Army in Switzerland, Austria and Hungary.
Photo credit: Tina Steinauer.