Home of Hope Students

Growing up, I was a victim of sexual abuse. At thirteen years of age, I began my addiction to marijuana to help numb my emotions. By the age of twenty-two, my addiction escalated to meth. I am now twenty-seven years old and sober with a daughter and a son! I came to Teen Challenge to better my life. I hope to stay sober, rebuke temptations, and become closer to God with the Holy Spirit inside of me!

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

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!" 

My life growing up was horrible. Both of my parents argued all of the time which resulted in me being beaten with different objects. I constantly changed schools and states. My parents told me on many  occasions that they didn't want me. So I ran away from home more than once because in their eyes I could do nothing right. When I went to school, I was bullied for my disorders and never really had any true friends. The men in my life abused me physically, mentally, and sexually. I was told nobody loved me or wanted me. This started the  depression and anxiety. I used drugs and alcohol to try and cope with everything that was happening. I felt things were better when I was drunk because it blocked my feelings and emotions. I came to Home of Hope to get myself and my life right. To be restored to my children that were taken from me, because of the abuse and not being able to provide for them. I believe this is a great opportunity for that. While I'm here at Home of Hope, my goal is to get closer to God, to be able to trust Him and walk with Him. I want to be a better mother and work on myself.  

Favorite Scripture: Psalm 118:8 "It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man."

I had a really good childhood, but I remember at a certain point telling myself that the only person that is going to make life good, is me. My addiction began at age 16 and I became more rebellious toward my mother. This led me down a dark path. I came to Teen Challenge Home of Hope because I had come to the conclusion that I needed to leave everyone and everything behind that I knew. With the support of a group of people, I flew out here as soon as I got the opportunity.  While I'm here at the Home of Hope, I hope to heal as a person and leave all the things that caused my addiction behind me. I really want to pursue ministry work with the homeless and less fortunate.  

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

My life was pretty normal. I was adopted into a pretty good family. It wasn’t until I moved out of their house, got pregnant, and then married, that my life started to go downhill. I got married at a young age and had to deal with mental and physical abuse and sometimes verbal abuse. I divorced him in 2020 and then met someone else and got hooked on drugs. My addiction started in 2020. I had just left the Home of Hope and graduated in 2019. I was lost and drowning in pain and hurt. I use drugs to cope with the pain that I had to go through when I got divorced and also when the other guy I was messing with would mentally and emotionally abuse me.  When I did drugs I would mentally and emotionally hurt my kids and I would hurt myself even worse. So this is my second time coming back to Teen Challenge, and God brought me back so I can get more healing and get any deep rooted issues pulled all the way up. He’s brought me back for a season of renewal.

Favorite Scripture: Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart.

I grew up with a loving father who worked most of the time. Mainly being raised around my friends, I was left to do whatever I wanted to do. My addictions began at the age of 12. I started smoking pot, then soon after I was introduced to Meth by my childhood friends. I self-medicated to numb myself from all the pain and loss in my life. I came to Home of Hope needing sobriety and a relationship with Christ. While in the program, I want to learn how to live a life of sobriety and become the woman of God that the Lord has called me to be!

Favorite Scripture: Matthew 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, And all these things shall be added unto you."

Growing up was hard and scary. My dad was an alcoholic and I didn't have my mother because she passed away when I was 2 1/2 years old. We were homeless most of the time. My addiction began around 2015 although I did drink some before that, but it was never really crazy or out of my control. I was with a very abusive man. He shattered the left side of my face and broke four of my ribs. Drinking made it easier to cope with mentally. I came to Teen Challenge to stop drinking and gain a relationship with God. I hope to get my life back. I would like to be a productive member of society again and have a solid foundation with God.

Favorite Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11- For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

I grew up with a lot of inconsistency and in a constant state of anxiety. At a young age my innocence was stolen from me and I lost trust in the people who were supposed to protect me, including God. My addiction began around the age of eleven. I started drinking and smoked a little marijuana. From there it quickly escalated to a number of other substances. The luxury soon became a necessity. My drug and alcohol abuse was used to cope with the past abuse and traumas I was running from. I fell into a downward spiral of despair and didn't know how to get out. I came to Teen Challenge because I was sick and tired.  For the first time in my life I had friends that saw me and were genuinely terrified for my well-being. As they pleaded for me to get help, the fear in their eyes shook me to the core. While being in Teen Challenge, I hope that God will restore me to who he intended me to be. I want Him to remove the anger and bitterness I've been allowing for so many years.  

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

Life growing up wasn’t terrible.  The only thing that really hurt me and pushed me into addiction was one of my mom’s abusive boyfriends. And the other reason I think that I started drinking was the fact that my dad wasn’t around. My addiction to alcohol began when I was twenty-one years old.  I believe it was because I was taken advantage of by someone I thought cared about me. And then another time someone close to me attacked me mentally. I let these things consume me. I came to Teen Challenge because I had decided enough was enough, that I needed and wanted something new. Through the program I hope to be more patient with life and to take better care of myself. I want to be happy and live a more confident life.

Favorite Scripture:

Life growing up was very quiet. I lived in a small town where most families kept to themselves. As a result, I too turned inward and detached myself from my emotions to create a facade of contentment and normalcy. I started using drugs and alcohol recreationally as a teen. In college I became dependent on alcohol to get through social situations and stress. During my early twenties, it turned into alcoholism. If I was awake I was drunk. I used alcohol to try to align my feelings with a mask I was showing everyone else. I thought if I drank anytime I was happy, sad, angry, anxious or grieving, I could glide through life without having to feel anything. Over time I fell into a dark place. My family was referred to Teen Challenge by some friends who had a son complete the program. HOH happened to be in the same town. While I am here, I hope to gain enough trust in the Lord that he will make my path clear, and to heal from my traumas along with the addictions. I want to meet the Lord and take the struggles and pressures off myself.

Favorite Scripture: 1 Peter 1:8 "Whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory."

Growing up for me happened fast! Me being the eldest in our home, I was given the expectation to be a mother to three other siblings. My father was in and out of the prison system because he chose to father his drug habits instead of his children. My mother raised four children to the best of her abilities while having a crack-cocaine addiction. Her addiction ended when I was 10 years old. I began smoking weed in the second grade, then started drinking at age 11. At the age of 13, I had no supervision and was in and out of hotels with men. I ended up addicted to meth. By the time I was eight-teen years old, I began shooting heroin. Visiting the program 7 1/2 years ago with no children, I left a month in. Teen Challenge is a place of returning completion for me. I hope to accomplish self-love as well as self-worth. I would like to be closer to God and become a better mother.

Favorite Scripture: Isaiah 9:2 The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them, a light has shined.

I was born into a family of 12 siblings where there was a lot of brokenness. Each one of us didn't know how to love one another or how to communicate. Oftentimes, I never felt heard or cared for. I thought there was something wrong with me. At age 15, I started smoking weed which led to drinking. I did this for 3 years. Then I eventually developed an addiction to opioids and cocaine. I started using it to distract from the hurt that started at age 6. People would always say I was over-dramatic. I was tired of being unhappy. I was introduced to Home of Hope by someone who had graduated from the program and I chose to come because God helped me realize the destructive path I was in. After several failed attempts to fix myself, I knew I needed help! I hope to gain full confidence in God and no longer rely on the things in this world. I'm praying for complete healing and restoration.

Favorite Scripture: John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

Growing up what I thought was normal, wasn’t. I was 10 when my parents divorced. My older sister and I never saw it coming. My parents never even fought, at least not in front of us. I have had an addiction one way or another since I was thirteen years old. It was caused by rejection and guilt.  I avoided my feelings and gave myself excuses for my behaviors. Now that I’ve gotten much older, I realized that my issues are still with me. I am from California and went to TC for the first time in 2010. I stopped using everything for six years but I was still broken. Since I have been at the Home of Hope I feel that it’s been different. I can feel that my heart is really changing. My spirit is being renewed daily. My strongholds are not defining me anymore. I’m done, yet I still have much work to do with Jesus Christ my Father God and the Holy Spirit. One day I hope that I am living in God’s plan for me. I hope that this program helps me to become free and to love myself the way my Father loves me.

Favorite Scripture: Psalm 65:3 Though we are overwhelmed by our sins, you forgive them all.

Growing up was…never dull. I began my regular hospital stays at the age of five. I was battling multiple illnesses. On top of this, my mother was terminally ill and in and out of marriages, resulting in mental, physical and sexual abuse. I had over used my meds as a toddler, not understanding, I was escaping and getting high. But at the age of 13, I found my mother’s pain meds and intentionally starting stealing them. I was given no hope for a future, so I figured I would try to alleviate pain and pass time as fast as possible. I came to the HOH the first time around in 2013 due to pills, pot, and alcohol. After 14 months, I graduated. I recently returned because my husband of thirteen years abandoned me and my two daughters with no warning. I started smoking almost a pack of cigarettes a day and drinking myself to sleep.  I hope to re-establish Gods love, trust and gentleness with my children and also closeness and dependence on God, where I had allowed the world to slip in.

Favorite Scripture: Philippians 4:4-5 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again. Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

Being the youngest of eight siblings, I grew up with my grandparents from birth until the summer of the 4th grade. I eventually moved in with my mom who was in an extremely abusive relationship. I ended up moving back in with my grandparents and at the age of 15 I became pregnant. My addiction began at the age of 16 and continued until 2008. I struggled off and on with the addiction until my eldest son was sentenced to seventeen years in prison. I again picked up my addiction for 7 years. This time heavily, when my youngest son passed away at the age of twenty-three. I started using methamphetamine because I didn't know how to process the pain of losing my son. It was too much to bear. My thirty-year old daughter recommended that I come to Teen Challenge. I was told that they have a really good program and is faith-based. She knew that would be important. I hope to accomplish a solid foundation in my relationship with God

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

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.

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 nations! Glorify Him, all peoples! For His faithful love to us is great; the Lord’s faithfulness endures forever. Hallelujah!