Home of Hope Students

Life growing up was lonely. My grandparents cared for me and protected me but when my grandma died I was 14 and on my own. I was introduced to drugs at the age of 14 and was left to fend for myself.  I lived in a home where drugs were present and my siblings taught me how to use. I continued in my use because I thought it fixed my loneliness/depression and problems. When my children were taken away I hit rock bottom. It was then a friend told me about Teen Challenge and I entered the program. What I hope to take away from this experience is to be healed from addiction, learn how to stay sober, have a strong relationship with Christ, get my children back and be a healthy mother!    

Favorite Scripture: Psalm 38:15 LORD, I wait for you; you will answer, Lord my God.

I grew up with my mother. My father decided he didn’t want to be in my life anymore when I was six. My addiction begin when I was 14 years old. For a decade I mainly struggled with alcohol and marijuana. The past two years I’ve become addicted to Xanax and Fentanyl. My addiction was always there for me when people were not. It’s served as a source of instant comfort. I desperately want to be delivered from my addiction. Also, I knew I needed the structure that I felt this program could provide. While I am here, I hope to learn coping skills for how to deal with life in a healthy way. Most importantly to do the will of God.

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 hope and a future. “

Growing up my childhood was riddled with mental, emotional and sexual abuse. I had my first drink at 13 and didn’t like it. However, my alcoholism took over after my first husband and I divorced in 2001. Then I only drink beer and in my later years I graduated to straight vodka. I drank to forget the pains of my troubled past and present, which became increasingly worse as my addiction grew. Every scar on my body, every broken dream and every relationship ruined was due to alcohol. I came to Teen Challenge because I had totally given up on life and just wanted to die. I was introduced to a pastor who works with La Mesa ministries and I was on my way. While here I hope to build a foundation with God, prayerfully go through some of the pains of my past and learn to dream again about a bright future for me and my loved ones.      

Favorite Scripture: Psalm 16:8 I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

I grew up the youngest of three children. Our family moved around a lot and we didn’t stay in one place for a long time. My father was an alcoholic and this brought me a lot of anxiety at a young age. I began drinking and using drugs at the age of 13. I used and drank to feel good and to escape reality. I didn’t know how to manage my anxiety and using made me feel better. After I had had a few relapses, I realized I needed to separate myself from people and situations and restore my relationship with the Lord. This is how I’ll become a happy, healthy woman of God. I want to be an example for my daughter to follow.  What I would like to gain from this program is complete and total healing for both myself and my daughter. I want to be set free and set on fire for the Lord, so that I can go forth and serve him wherever he may lead.  

Favorite Scripture: I Corinthians 12:9 The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing.

I grew up in a loving home. My parents are still together and I have one older brother that I got along with for the most part. I got good grades in school and was involved in sports. My addiction began as a young mother. Being a stay at home mom, depression slowly worked its way in and soon took over. Alcohol became my escape and my best friend. I drank to numb depression, I drank to numb my feelings and I’ve always felt like something is missing. I came to Teen Challenge without resistance because living according to my will wasn’t working and I became sick and tired of being sick and tired. I came to rediscover why I am in Christ and be delivered from the addiction that has kept me in bondage for so many years. While in this program I hope to find out who it is that God has called me to be. I want restoration with my family, my marriage, myself and my relationship with the Lord.  

Favorite Scripture: Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear for I am with you do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you I will uphold you with my righteous hand.

I was raised in a Christian home, we were all very close. I was active in youth ministries, involved in choir and I was a cheerleader with my sister for four years. My addiction began with abusive men after I was raped in my early 20’s. I was made to feel worthless and unworthy of any kind of love. My addiction to these dysfunctional relationships started because I  believe I hated myself and believe that I didn’t deserve anything better than an abusive man. My sister is the one who found out about Teen Challenge for me. I came here because I was homeless and had nowhere else to go. While here in this program I hope to heal from my deep wounds and learn to love myself the way Jesus loves me.  

Favorite Scripture: Psalm 91:4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

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.

Growing up my life was pretty good. I was involved in sports and I had friends. My life was very family oriented. I started drinking at the age of 14 and 2 years ago I began using heroin. I did this so that I wouldn’t be able to feel any emotions. I came to Teen Challenge because I want a strong foundation and structure with God. I hope to heal so that I can love myself again and be proud to look in the mirror.      

Favorite Scripture: Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

From a young age I had to grow up quickly because I was responsible for my siblings. Luckily I was raised in a protective home, but I was emotionally neglected, and I felt very fearful. Later on in life I began losing myself to addictions like alcohol, meth, nicotine and codependent relationships. I used drugs to cover up all my pain and hurt. My mother was the one who brought me here to Teen Challenge when I realized I needed help. My hope while I’m here is to be reunited with my grandchildren, to know God‘s word, and to live in his peace and forgiveness.  

Favorite Scripture: Luke 6:37 "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Growing up my childhood was difficult. My parents were divorced and I moved back and forth between two households never feeling grounded. At 8 years old, I tried my first cigarette and got drunk on New Year’s Eve. In 7th grade when I was 12 years old, I started smoking marijuana. After a bad car accident at the age of 29, I became addicted to pills and at the age of 36 I progressed to meth and heroin. I was so broken and lost, I walked out on everyone and everything which caused me to become homeless. I believe that my addictions were caused by not having a relationship with Jesus. In 2019, my probation was revoked and I went to prison. In August of this year I was released and entered the Home of Hope. While I’m here I hope to be healed of my past and receive Christian life skills, and gain an intimate relationship with the Lord.  

Favorite Scripture: Isaiah 43:1 I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no savior.

Life growing up was hard. I was very lonely, depressed and confused. My addiction began at the age of 13. There was no joy or smiles in my life. I was desperate, so I went looking and I found a superficial joy and laughter when I started experiencing drugs.  Eventually the high wore off the drugs no longer worked and all of my problems just seemed to grow with my pain. So I called on Jesus and I heard “leave          everything, Teen Challenge” I know in my heart God wants me here. While I’m here I don’t want anything left in my closet. I want God to expose all of me, I want to lay it all out. I want to trust him and believe what He says about me. I don’t just want to be saved I want to be       delivered. I want God to use me!!    

Favorite Scripture: Luke 5:31 Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 

Growing up my family life was tough. Our family was constantly fighting, calling the cops and then getting evicted. My dad was always sick, in and out of the hospital all the time. I began using drugs in high school with my younger brother. I did so to block out my emotions. I came to Teen Challenge because I desire better for my life. I hope to be set free and have restoration with my family.      

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 submit to him, and will make your paths straight.

I came to the Home of Hope because I lost my way in life in 2004. I was 25 years old when I lost my mother suddenly to a bowel obstruction. It was the worst thing ever to me to lose my mom who was always there for me and my whole family. I’ve been trying to do things by myself since then, but my drinking problem just got worse and my life was spiraling down without me noticing. I needed help but did not feel I could ask for it. I have 7 kids altogether and I am pregnant again, five months now. I lost all my kids to DCS because of drug and alcohol use. After that, I lost all hope for my life and gave up fighting. I want all my kids back and I will fight for my life to get better now. Since I have been at the Home of Hope, I feel a change happening. I pray my life will be what it is meant to be and I will be a God-loving person and mother. One day I hope for peace and love for my life and others.  

Favorite Scripture: Psalm 117:1-2 Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.