A single mother of three daughters—ages 29, 27, and 15—Jugbeh is short in stature, but her quiet strength and warm spirit fill up a room.
“I don’t think of myself as strong,” Jugbeh admits with characteristic humility. “I think of myself as trying to do what I need to do as a mother.”
After moving to Charlotte from Brooklyn in 1999, Jugbeh found herself navigating the difficult terrain of leaving an abusive marriage. She arrived at Charlotte Family Housing in 2023 feeling “beaten down, confused, and heartbroken,” uncertain of what the future held for her and her daughters.
Jugbeh carries with her the lessons her own mother, a hardworking single mom, exemplified. “My mother taught me to depend on God, work hard, and everything will work out,” she says. “If you work hard for what you want, you will find joy at the end.”
It’s this philosophy that propelled her forward through countless challenging circumstances. Jugbeh credits her mom and the women she’s met throughout the Charlotte Family Housing program with “speaking life” into her spirit and encouraging her to pursue her dreams.
Working as a home health aide sparked a passion for caregiving that was deeply personal. Her mother’s diagnosis with breast cancer showed Jugbeh the significance of helping others through difficult times. Her experiences building enduring relationships with her patients further cemented her calling.
Last year, Jugbeh returned to school to earn her CNA certification. Despite being surrounded by younger students at CPCC, Jugbeh knows she’s on the perfect path for her.
“I felt mighty when I went back to school,” she shares with a smile. “It shows me that it’s never too late. Even though your mind’s telling you, ‘Oh, you’re older, you see the young kids in college’—that was the hardest part. But getting through it is so rewarding.”
Now preparing to start her CNA level 2 certification, Jugbeh isn’t just building a career—she’s modeling determination for her daughters. “I’m going to show my kids that if I can do it at 48, why not them?”
To others facing similar struggles, Jubei offers words of encouragement that reflect her own journey: “Right now it seems like it’s a lot, but at the end, you will rejoice.”
This story is part of our “Mighty Like A Mother” series celebrating Mother’s Day and honoring the strength of mothers in our community.