WHITNEY

A JOURNEY OF HEALING AND RENEWAL

My name is Whitney. I am 41 years old, and I have struggled with addiction for over half of my life. During that time, I went through abuse of many kinds and homelessness. I graduated from the Life Recovery Program in 2019. I had my children in my life, attended church and held a job, but something was missing. I started struggling once again with substance abuse. I was on the streets and lost.

I was in and out of jail with my last arrest landing me behind bars for a year. During my jail sentence, I began to spend time in the Bible and pray with other people, and I realized that I needed something different, a better way. I also began to see how God was working around me and in other people’s lives. I started having conversations with Him and He started changing my heart. The want and desire to use was gone and I was walking a truth that I would never have accepted unless in and through Christ Jesus.

I was trying to make life changes on my own without Christ Jesus. Christ brought to light the things and ways that were in my darkness. He spoke truth to my heart, I was speaking truth to Him from my heart and I began healing.

By this time my year in jail was almost over. My relationship with my youngest son had been restored. I was searching for a rehab and my mom told me to pray about it and see what God said. I was released on December 20th, 2023, and I had stayed off drugs since my incarceration on February 2nd, 2023. I arrived at the Downtown Rescue Mission that day to check into the program and that same day I was able to hug my youngest son. A few days after that I was hugging my oldest son and meeting my daughter-in-law for the first time. The reconciliation with my family was such a blessing. I have continued my sobriety and recovery here at the Mission. I currently work the Front Desk for Owens House and I am a part-time van driver.