When Jillian and Jaime look back on their journey, one word comes to mind: change. It wasn’t easy, and it didn’t happen overnight — but through perseverance, love, and community support, they’ve built a new life for their family in Tucson.

Jillian, Jaime and their children

For years, Jillian and Jaime battled addiction. When their son Isaiah was born, they realized something had to change. “My oldest daughter lives in Chicago,” Jillian recalls. “She was born when I was 16, and I lost custody to my parents. I didn’t want to go through that again. We were on the verge of being homeless, and we just… we were done. We wanted our family back.”

The couple entered recovery in 2020 and began rebuilding their lives. That’s when they were introduced to United Way of Tucson’s Community Partner Program Healthy Families, a home visitation program funded by First Things First. The program provides parents with guidance, resources, and support to create safe and nurturing homes for their children.

“At first, I was nervous,” Jillian admits. “But within the first two visits, I knew this was it. This was perfect.”

Having faced stigma in other spaces, the couple found Healthy Families to be different. “There was no judgment,” says Jaime. “Our home visitor was encouraging and understanding. Anytime we needed something — housing help, food, diapers, even speech therapy for Isaiah — she was there.”

The program not only provided tangible resources but also helped Jillian and Jaime grow as parents. “It gave us goals and helped us track Isaiah’s milestones,” Jillian explains. “We learned so much — things like, can he jump on one leg? We wouldn’t have even thought to check! It made us appreciate those small moments.”

Their daughter Savannah, who joined them less than a year ago after overcoming her own trauma, has also flourished. “She’s grown so much into this amazing, beautiful person,” Jillian says. “The program helped her open up and trust again.”

Today, Jillian and Jaime’s lives look completely different. They’ve hit every goal they set — from finding stable housing to advancing their careers. Jillian is studying to become a Substance Use Counselor, while Jaime works at Amazon as a Process Assistant and runs a small crystal and mineral business called Gems for Everyone.

“We’re proud of how far we’ve come,” Jillian says. “Most couples who used together grow apart, but we worked through everything side by side. When one of us struggles, the other steps in. We’re a team.”

When asked why United Way is important to the community, Jillian doesn’t hesitate. “People need this. United Way is extremely important because the programs they fund — like Healthy Families — change lives. I tell every new mom I meet about it. The resources, the home visitors… they make a difference.”

So what does Live United mean to them? Jillian’s answer is simple and powerful:
“When I hear the words Live United, I think of a community building each other up — everyone helping each other out and sticking together. The world feels divided right now, and it’s so important that we stand united.”

Jillian has a message for anyone facing the same struggles they once did:
“You can make it to the other side. I never thought I would, but there’s always a way out. If I knew how good it felt to be sober, I would have done it so long ago. Everything happens for a reason — just keep going.”

United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona is proud to partner with Healthy Families to help parents and children thrive. This partnership — made possible by funding from First Things First — ensures that families across Southern Arizona have access to the early childhood education, support, and resources they need to build stronger futures.

When we Live United, we create stronger families, stronger neighborhoods, and a stronger Tucson.