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.

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.”