Melissa
As a teenager, Melissa became involved with drugs and became addicted. She successfully overcame her addiction, living clean and sober until the age of 21. She began to wonder if possibly her addiction had been simply related to being so young, and now that she was older if she might be able to “drink normally.”
Melissa was not able to maintain “normal drinking” for very long. She entered a committed relationship and had two children, but soon started to spiral out of control and found herself facing full blown addiction once again.
In 2006 Melissa suffered a heartbreaking loss. She lost custody of her children when the court found her to be incapable of caring for them financially and emotionally due to her addiction. Melissa had always had her father to rely on, but when he passed away, everything in her life began to crumble and she became homeless.
“I never imagined I would ever become homeless,” Melissa explained, “but there I was at the age of 29, living out of my car, separated from my children and addicted to drugs. For two years I bounced around from job to job, home to home. I never landed anywhere for more than three months. I was stuck in a horrible cycle and I began to believe that I would never make it out.”
In 2008 Melissa made up her mind to change her life. She entered a shelter program and began the hard journey of transforming her life. “It has not been an easy road. The last two years have been the hardest and most rewarding years of my life. When I gave up on life, I lost myself in the process. I no longer possessed self confidence or a belief that I deserved a good life. Slowly, I have tackled my problems one by one.”
Melissa’s story has a happy ending. “I have been reunited with my children for two years and now have joint legal custody. For the first time in 5 years I was able to kiss my children good night, and wake up seeing their smiling faces. I have held the same job for almost three years and I have continuously moved up within the company. I have overcome my fear of college and have maintained a 4.0 GPA,” Melissa said.
“Every hurdle that I have faced and overcome has been a building block to my foundation of life. I was given a second chance at life, and I will never take that for granted. I have finally woken up to the fact that if I want a good life I need to work hard to achieve it. My goal to be a Registered Nurse is still somewhat far away, but today I believe it is possible. I know I have it in me to overcome anything and excel at everything.”
Melissa credits Bethany for helping her when she needed it most. “Bethany was the turning point for me. When I entered the Bethany program I felt a sigh of relief wash over me. I knew I was finally safe. Bethany taught me how to live as an adult and how to function in society. The Bethany staff believed in me until I learned to believe in myself. They provided me with a beautiful, safe and loving home for two years. During that time I was able to focus on my recovery, my children, and just bettering myself as a whole person. I would not be who I am today had it not been for the Bethany program. Bethany works because it is run by God, the staff are His angels, and we are the lost sheep that were finally given a home. I will forever be indebted to Bethany. My only hope is that my story is able to touch others who need help and hope.”
