I am a forty four year old mother of two. I have always strived to be a good role model for my children. I did not grow up with the best role models myself and so it was impossible for me to achieve a better education because I did not have anyone in my life to lead me in that direction. My mother became a single parent at a very young age and because of that she was unable to get any higher than an eighth grade education. She, of course, followed in the footsteps of her parents who also had a limited education. I was taught that all girls grew up to get married and raise a family. I definitely did not need an education to do that. So, when I turned seventeen, I fell in love and got married and was sure that everything would be okay.

At the age of eighteen I was diagnosed with cancer and was told that I had only six months to live. I lost my hair, my youth, and most of all, I lost my husband. My life changed drastically. Along with that, I was told that chemotherapy would make me sterile and prevent me from having children. I felt inadequate because I could not even achieve the model of success that my mother and grandparents set up for me. I survived the cancer and twenty-six years later am writing this essay. Within that period of time my life spiraled out of control and although I was not married at the time, I was blessed to give birth to two beautiful children. Somewhere within the chaos, I knew there had to be a purpose for everything that had happened to me and that the school “hard knocks” was not the only education there was. I knew it was not too late for me to still be a good role model for my children and for others.

My life took a turn for the best when I was forty-two. I began my spiritual journey with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, which has helped me realize that the passion I had back when I was young could still happen. I have lived a1 two of the homes for women within Open Door Ministries and Providence Network for the past two and a half years. It is through their ministry to me that I have found the desire to not only help others and give back to the community but also get the education to help me be a more productive member of society.

My name is Stephanie, I am 38 years old. God chose to bless me with four children, ages 18, 17, 13 and 12. They are my life and I have been raising them alone for over 15 years. I have a good job. We’ve always had a nice place to live. The kids have been involved in various sports and activities over the years, and we’ve attended church off and on throughout this time. On the outside, everything looked great.

However, I had been hiding various addictions the whole time. I would go through periods of alcoholism, bulimia, drug abuse, unhealthy relationships, and alcoholism again… There were many, many times when I resolved to quit, get healthy, get back in church … I hated what I was doing and felt like a failure as a mother but no matter how hard I tried, no matter how much I begged God to deliver me, I always fell back into the mess.

Over a year ago, my boyfriend and my oldest son found me in a crack house in South Denver. The frequency with which I had been disappearing was increasing, and it became apparent to the whole family that I was out of control. They took the kids and ordered me to find treatment. The kids were devastated and so was I, but I was also relieved. Inside, I wanted to get caught, so I’d be forced to get the help I so badly wanted.

My employer referred me to Open Door Ministries. After trying to get into several treatment programs,After trying to get into several treatment programs, I was finally accepted to Esther House and it changed my life. God was waiting for me there. I completely fell apart. It’s been a long time since I’ve faced the tragedies our family has endured.

Esther House housed me and fed me. I made more progress in the Skills Group at Esther House in six months than I did in three years of very expensive therapy. There is a Daily Christian Fellowship recovery group available every morning of the year – it was the highlight of my day and saved my life. We participated in community service opportunities that gave us the opportunity to invest in our own recovery. It is so important to offer a means of integrity along with charity. Various Bible studies, required readings and treatment assignments kept us very busy.

Most importantly, these people PRAYED all the time. Individual quiet time was required and allowed me to know God like never before.

I did relapse once. Esther House prayerfully accepted me back, and I have been sober since. I have my job back. The kids are back home. We live at Victory House (part of Providence Network) now, and the kids are involved in Youth Group at ODM and are being mentored by ODM staff that live in our building. I continue to work on recovery issues and am also being mentored at Victory House. We attend church at Open Door Fellowship and are now part of a community that seeks God.

I don’t know what would have happened if Open Door Ministries didn’t exist.

Where can a girl go when not even one drug rehab facility will accept her?

Twenty-one year old Lena had already seen the inside of more than one jail, delivered two children, and experienced more abuse than many of us have even heard of. She was thrown in jail for possession of drugs in Denver while on a road trip from Tennessee to Washington. Her daughter was with her and was sent to foster care back in Tennessee.

At this point, Lena knew she needed help, but did not have money or insurance for drug rehabilitation. A Christian counselor recommended Open Door Ministries’ Chayah House.

She moved in and now says, “The love is what kept me here.” She accepted the Lord as her Savior and felt really loved for the first time in her life.

And look what the Lord has done!! Lena is now on staff at Treasure House after being clean and sober for more than four years! “I want to give back what was given to me. I feel like God has called me to minister to women with broken hearts and broken lives like I had.”