Stories of Empowerment: Ernest and Amelia

For Amelia and Ernest Espejo, life has brought both deep joys and unexpected hardships. In 2016, a job placement sent them to California, where they were excited to begin a new life on the West Coast. But almost immediately after settling in, Ernest was struck with an illness that ultimately forced their family to return home. 

What was then supposed to be a temporary stay at the Red Carpet Inn turned into a year-long wait as they both worked with temp agencies to find something permanent that would meet their needs.

“Necessity brings forth direction,” Amelia said as she reflected on that season of their life. “When you are in need, it makes you think of creative ways to get it done. We went to thrift stores and found a small hot plate, skillet, and crockpot to cook with…We have health issues, so we worked hard to cook and be wise in how we cooked our food.”

Getting ahead was incredibly tough – the cost of the room was Amelia’s entire paycheck, and in the meantime, they needed support that they couldn’t seem to find.

“We were just looking for help, in any way we could get help…but it seemed like everywhere we would go, we would hit a wall.” 

One day, The Factory Ministries came up in one of Amelia’s searches, and they got connected with an advocate. Through that relationship, resources such as the market, plans for housing, and help with a security deposit provided relief and support that they had not yet experienced since coming back to Lancaster. “I just thank God for The Factory,” said Amelia, “our main concern was the stability…just trying to find some stability in our lives.”

In May of 2018, they were finally able to move into an apartment, and both had steady jobs. For a short season, life had the stability they had been craving. But then in August of 2018, Ernest had a stroke. With only one income, the pressure of surviving returned, but they were again able to find resources at The Factory – this time with assistance in applying for disability as well as access to the food market. 

Amelia remembered how she would pray for specific things during that season: “Lord, I would really like an avocado…and sure enough, there would be avocados at the food bank. Or I would have a recipe I’d want to try, and they would have what I was looking for.” The support of an advocate and connecting to a church during that time were also integral in making it through the difficulties they faced. “The two things that really helped me was my faith in God, and having the support of The Factory,” recalled Amelia.

Now, life looks a lot different for the two of them. They have both completed educational courses that have changed their career opportunities, and they are looking forward to being able to help others with the empowering resources they have received. 

“God comes first in everything,” says Ernest. “Our bodies are beat up, but our minds are strong. The classes we were able to take at The Factory were self-builders. They taught us how to rebuild our walk into self-sufficiency.”

Both Ernest and Amelia have worked incredibly hard in their journey to self-sufficiency.

“I keep saying, ‘How bad do you want it?’” says Ernest. “I cannot allow the Factory to become an easy crutch. We want to be proactive in our community and in our lives.”

Ernest shared that one of their big goals is to get off the disability that he received as a result of the stroke he suffered. 

“First, I thank our Lord,” says Ernest, “and then I thank the Factory…I will never forget and will always appreciate what The Factory has done for us.”