Home of Hope Students

The last few years of my marriage were hard. I began having seizures that contributed to my depression and malnourishment. A while after our divorce, I started seeing a guy that introduced me to a drug after having a seizure one night. I had dislocated my shoulder and was in severe pain. He offered me a hit of what he was smoking to numb it. He failed to tell me how addicting the drug was or what type of side effects I'd have. I stopped   seeing him although stayed addicted to the poison, not realizing what it would do to my future. At some point, I was arrested because of him and needed help. After almost two years, I called my parents and explained my situation. They drove all the way from California to Oklahoma, and found me help through Teen Challenge! I am so blessed to have a God in heaven and parents on earth, who never gave up on me! During my stay at The Home of Hope, my goal is to be healed and set free!  

Favorite Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:15 "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" 

For me, growing up was confusing, odd, and chaotic. My home life wasn't peaceful unless we were at Papas. Even then there was no sense of stability. My Step-Dad was an alcoholic and a lot of the time just angry at the world, abusive, and hotheaded.  Starting at age 12, I used to sneak out of the house which I loved to do. At age 15 I started smoking pot and drinking. I loved the escape from my home life so much that I fell in love with alcohol. The reason I started using drugs and alcohol was to numb my feelings of insecurity. My family asked me to go to the Teen Challenge Home of Hope center.  I then realized I had an alcohol problem. While I'm here, I want to learn the right tools and gain an understanding of the enemy's tactics, to claim my life back and keep it!  

Favorite Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."

I grew up in a single-parent home, with one younger brother and a lot of cousins that I considered family. My father was never around or involved in my life, mainly being raised by the system and my grandmother. My addiction began after almost being stabbed to death at the age of 15. I struggled with depression, anxiety, guilt, and shame. Drinking alcohol eventually lead me to other things like smoking marijuana, becoming a victim of domestic violence and prostitution. The Holy Spirit lead me to a church in Baltimore, MD called Hope City. It was then, that I found out about Teen Challenge. I gave up drinking, smoking, and became abstinent. I came to Teen Challenge from Maryland in hopes to dig deeper into the word of God, change my character, find hope for my future, and develop healthy relationships. Thank God that I have my two beautiful children here with me. In order for me to truly worship the Lord, I had to be honest with myself and my sin, so God can heal all my broken parts.

Favorite Scripture: John 5:24 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.

When I was growing up, my mom supported myself along with my two sisters and my brother by trafficking meth and heroin from California to Arkansas. I started using meth and smoking cigarettes at 12 years old with my two older sisters. I found myself in a lifestyle full of addiction and abuse and wanted better for myself and my children. I came to this program to learn to live free from addiction and with hopes of having restoration with my three children and my mother.

Favorite Scripture: Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

My addiction began with pot and meth, I was just trying to fit in. I was in one bad relationship after another. They would cheat on me and then leave. My parent’s death also had a huge impact on my addiction. As I spiraled downhill, something inside me just snapped. When things couldn’t get any worse, I got in a very abusive relationship where my partner ended up stabbing my brother. I lost my 3 children and my 4^th child passed away. After that my family wanted nothing to do with me. It was at this point I was introduced to alcohol, then came the anxiety, depression, and P.T.S.D. I heard about Teen Challenge through my church, and although it took me a minute to get here, I’m here! Since being here God has poured out His love upon me and continues to heal me. One day I hope to be in ministry and pull souls out of the pit with the mighty hand of God.  

Favorite Scripture: Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

I grew up in what some would call a broken home. Divorced parents, an alcoholic mother, and a semi-distant father with a new family. They are both loving parents and did the best they could do but in a separated family environment I felt left out a lot. I was about 14 once I started drinking. I began partying because it was fun, then the drinking and using turned into an escape of my emotions and feelings. When I was young I was always told I was too sensitive and that my feelings weren’t valid. My addiction grew and I needed more and more to fill the emptiness inside. I was lost, something needed to happen. A lot needed to change before I completely destroyed myself and my relationships with family and friends.  I came from California to Arizona to be near my daughter and separate myself from things and memories that were not healthy. I have been praying for healing and strength to take my obsession of alcohol away and guidance so that I can walk with the Lord more closely. I feel that God has brought me to the Home of Hope to fulfill those prayers.  

Favorite Scripture: Psalm 66:19-20 But God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer. Praise be to God who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love for me.

From the time I can remember, my life was driven by fear and uncertainty. Eventually that fear drove me into an abusive relationship with substances. In my youth I experimented with drugs and alcohol. It wasn’t until my mid 20’s that I started drinking heavily. When I first started using, it was out of curiosity. Although, after May of 2019 alcohol became sustaining for me. After a series of losses from divorce to deaths, the hopelessness increased and so did my addiction. That is what brought me to Teen Challenge. My goal is long-term. I desire to live a life of sobriety walking with God, so that I may impart hope to my family and others.

Favorite Scripture: Jeremiah 17:14 Heal me, oh Lord, and I shall be healed; save me and I shall be saved, for you are my praise.

Life growing up was hard. My addiction started at the age of 14 years old. For me, my eating disorder served as a form of control and safety when everything else in my life felt like chaos. I was in a constant cycle of going from one treatment center to another. Since the age of 16, I tried to find help but nothing ever worked. So one day my mom found this place in hopes that I would find true healing. While I’m at the Home of Hope, I hope to learn to be on fire for God and to become whole.

Favorite Scripture: 1 John 4:4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

I grew up in a home where I had the support of my loving father and stepmother. Unfortunately, over time I increasingly became depressed. The depression of not having my biological mother led me into rebellion. Around the age of 14 years old, I began using drugs with my older sister. This continued off and on for the next 16 years of my life. The grief and my feelings of abandonment at times were so overwhelming. It got to the point that I felt I needed the drugs to numb my pain towards her. A very dear friend of mine came by my apartment one day and said, "Get your stuff, we're going to my house!” Three to four days later, she brought me to the Home of Hope and that saved my life! My desire is to walk in sobriety for myself and my family with the Lord. I am believing in His restoration and healing.

Favorite Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

Growing up as an only child in a single-parent home, I began to suffer from depression and self-harm. Around 9 years of age, I felt more out of place and alone. My addiction began at the age of 17 years old. I was introduced to meth and used it as a way to lose weight. Shortly thereafter I also was introduced to heroin. My life at that point continued in a downward spiral. I eventually became addicted to the drugs and the feeling it gave me. I didn't have to feel depressed because it was a distraction from my hurt and pain. My overdose of fentanyl, placed me in ICU for 3 weeks. I lost my newborn son due to DCS and court involvement. My mom talked with me about the Home of Hope and I agreed to come in. My hope is to regain custody of my son and establish a lasting life of sobriety.

Favorite Scripture: Proverbs 31:25 Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come.

Life growing up was very dysfunctional and uncertain. My parents moved us away from family and from   Colorado to Arizona when I was five. Dad was an   alcoholic, and mom was an enabler and depressed. They divorced when I was 10 and my mom was trying to make it alone with four kids on her own, it was scary at times. My addiction begin seven years ago. I picked up a bottle of vodka to cope with a husband and our marriage of 37 years going down the tubes. He started abusing pills, alcohol and had an affair that was taking all of what we had away. I began this addiction to deal with the pain, her, and loss of a good life I knew and loved. Vodka always worked quickly after a few shots, I didn’t care as much or hurt as bad.  I hope while I am here to get much-needed healing of body and soul. I need to build a more solid foundation in my Christian walk to keep me strong and healthy in many different ways. I want to renew my love for God and his   daughters I serve with.  

Favorite Scripture: Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.