Veronica
Growing up, my family was very dysfunctional, yet I didn’t realize that until I got older. Whenever there was a family crisis, everyone drank. This is where I developed my coping skills, and at age 12, I started drinking and smoking weed.
Around this time, my grandfather — my rock and best friend — went to prison, and we had to move away. My dad started working out of town to takeover my grandfather’s business. Since my mom was an addict, her motto was “If you want to drink and smoke weed, do it at home so I know you are safe. Just don’t tell your dad!”
My older sister tried to help and took me to a local hospital, where they diagnosed me with a chemical imbalance. I was depressed because I returned to a horrible home and tried to overdose by taking my entire medicine bottle. I just wanted to die.
At 15, I went to jail for the first time for possession of alcohol by a minor. Legal troubles continued as I was arrested again at 17 and faced multiple drug charges. Charges were dropped because someone took the blame, and I continued doing whatever I wanted.
My grandfather died that same year, and my life spiraled even more.
Pregnant at 20 and expecting my first daughter, I felt I had something to live for. Yet after she was born, I started using again. Though I was sober during my next pregnancy, I returned to drugs again after my younger daughter was born.
Sadly, my mother died in 2008, and my father died less than a year later.
Things only got worse when I went to prison for drug possession in 2013, but I only served six months of a four-year sentence. Then, when my 21-year-old niece was in a mass shooting in 2020, I hit rock bottom.
However, my whole life began to change last year when I reached out to Mrs. Cara at Owen’s House [DRM’s shelter for women and children] and asked if I could join the program. She said yes! I entered the program on August 9, 2021, and graduated one year later on August 16, 2022.
Now at 38 years old, I’ve found God. I’m sober, happy, and at peace. Since being here, I’ve worked at the DRM Thrift Store in Madison and have great relationships with my daughters. We are currently waiting for housing at Lincoln Village.
I’m thankful for all the struggles and hurt I’ve gone through because it got me to where I am today.
Thank you for prayerfully and financially supporting the work of Downtown Rescue Mission. You’re making a real difference in real people’s lives every day!
–Veronica
