Jessica: A mother and family restored

Thanks to our new transitional housing program, which your support makes possible, recovery graduate Jessica and her four kids have the space and time to become a family again.

When Jessica entered our residential recovery program in March 2015, she had to give up her four kids. In February, she officially regained custody of her youngest, bringing them all together again for the first time in years.

Moving into our new transitional homes in Bridgetown has been a blessing that Jessica is grateful for every day. “Without this space, I don’t know what I would have done. I have time to figure out what my life should look like.”

Jessica can get overwhelmed with the demands of raising four kids alone. But she says the house has been a Godsend in helping her, and the kids. “Having structure in their lives has been essential. Creating rules, giving them a lot more responsibility – it’s changing them.”

She points to her daughter, Jaley, as an example. Since moving to the neighborhood, Jaley has been getting better grades and has had a more positive attitude. She made friends quickly, and Jessica credits Jaley’s best friend for having a big influence. The two often do their homework together and sometimes have sleepovers.

“There is a bunch of room for us to play and to have my friends over,” says Jaley, who once lived in a one-bedroom apartment with her family. “It’s great.” Jaley is glad to have her younger sister back, and proudly showed off the bedroom they share.

Growing up with family substance abuse issues and struggling with that herself most of her life, Jessica will be two years sober in March. Now she has a space of her own to catch her breath.

“God has eased me into everything,” Jessica says. “This is my transition back into work and college. My trust level in God has gone through the roof.”

Thank you for helping Jessica and many other recovery graduates transition to a place where they can figure out their next steps!