When Sidney Hammond went through a divorce, she felt cut adrift. After being a stay-at-home mom for years, she found herself raising a family alone.

“I got thrown into the world with no work history and two kids,” she said. 

Life got more complicated when she entered a new relationship, which became abusive, and had another child. 

After the Rathdrum mom escaped the abusive relationship with her children, she knew something had to change. 

“I wanted something better for my kids,” she said. 

So she enrolled at North Idaho College. 

“Starting college as an adult with kids was really hard,” Hammond said. 

But she was buoyed by support from the Center for New Directions at NIC. The CND helps single parents, displaced homemakers and career pioneers in the North Idaho region. This typically begins with enrolling at NIC to earn a degree or certificate that will enable them to support themselves and their kids. 

To help these students balance school, work and parenting, the CND connects them with resources and fosters community with other students who have been through similar situations. 

“I loved NIC,” Hammond said. “Everybody was so amazing.” 

When costly vehicle repairs threatened to throw Hammond off track during her studies at NIC, she received help from an unexpected place: Press Christmas for All. 

Through community donations, Christmas for All helped pay for the repairs — and helped Hammond stay in school.  

“If I didn’t have a safe vehicle, I would’ve been unable to keep going,” she said. 

Hammond graduated from North Idaho College in the spring, the first person in her family to earn a college degree. She’s continuing her environmental science studies through the University of Idaho. 

“I really want to make a difference in the community,” she said. “I love our local lakes and aquifer. I’m hoping to work in water quality.” 

Hammond spoke proudly of her children: her 13-year-old son, 11-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son. She wants to show her kids by example that they can push through difficult times and achieve their dreams.

“They were my ultimate driver in everything,” she said. “I wanted a better life, but I was struggling. They’re the ones who really got me through. I want the world for them. I don’t want them to have the same hardships.”

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This story is part of a series of "where are they now" stories The Press will be sharing this week as we lead up to the launch of our 2024 Press Christmas for All campaign. Please join us in celebrating those we have been privileged to give a hand up as they work to better their lives and give back to our community.