Before Yessi Colondres even had a name, there were already people who treated her existence as a problem.
Her mother became pregnant at fourteen years old in the Dominican Republic, and rejection, poverty, uncertainty, and sacrifice marked the beginning of an extraordinary story of survival. Yet from the very beginning, Yessi's life was also marked by a mother's determination, unexpected acts of kindness, and a faith that would eventually become the foundation of her journey.
Searching for Home is a true memoir of immigration, Christian faith, family, resilience, identity, emotional healing, and the lifelong search for belonging. From childhood in the Dominican Republic to a new life in the Bronx, Yessi recounts the experiences that shaped the way she understood love, security, family, and home.
As she grows from a child searching for acceptance into a wife, mother, professional, and woman of faith, the meaning of "home" continues to change. Education brings opportunity. Marriage and motherhood bring both joy and responsibility. Professional growth opens doors she once could not imagine. Yet achievement alone cannot answer the deeper questions left by childhood instability, rejection, and the longing to know where she truly belongs.
Through faith, truth, accountability, forgiveness, emotional healing, and family restoration, Yessi begins to understand that surviving is not the same as feeling at home-and that healing does not require pretending the past never happened.
Searching for Home speaks to immigrants, first-generation families, Christians, mothers, survivors of difficult beginnings, and anyone who has ever felt invisible, rejected, displaced, or uncertain of where they belong.
This is more than a story of overcoming adversity. It is a testimony of resilience, redemption, purpose, and the belief that a painful beginning does not have to determine the ending. Ultimately, Yessi discovers that home is not only a place. It can be built through truth, faith, family, belonging, and the presence of God.