Vanessa's Story - From recovering from addictive behaviors to graduating the URM Program

This month, I wanted to share Vanessa's story. From recovering from addictive behaviors, living on the streets to graduating from Hope Gardens Program, and using her gifts to bless others. ​​​​​​Watch Vanessa's Inspirational Story.
"I thank God that there's a place like Hope Gardens. These kids don't have to endure the childhood that I had. I grew up with a mom with a lot of anger management problems, and unfortunately, I was raped by my stepfather at an early age. I went through a lot of depression to the point where I tried to commit suicide a couple of times. Meth was something that numbed me. I didn't realize how awful my life was going to become.
I married somebody who was very, very abusive to me in the hospital a couple of times with head concussions. He shattered my jaw. He did a lot of physical damage to me. In the midst of my, of my addiction, I lost my two children. My kids were the world to me, and when I couldn't afford an apartment for them Or the lifestyle that the courts felt that I should be unable to provide, and they took them back. So I went downhill really, really bad. I, I ended up losing my job. I became homeless.
I put everything in my shopping cart, and I just said, screw it. Eventually, I ended up in the streets, living in an RV. I was in my RV. I was pregnant and still getting loaded, and that's when the epiphany. She's going to come at any minute. What happens if I'm here in this RV? And she comes, and I'm thinking in my head, there's only one person that can help me, and this is God. I finally broke down. I go, you let me keep her. Please. Let me keep her and we'll do this your way. And for some odd reason, God's guided me to the Union Rescue Mission."
Vanessa came in totally broken, but she was ready. She was determined, and that is the most important factor. It's a holistic approach that we offer to the women, physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually.
When you step into Hope Gardens, you feel that surrender, that peacefulness. Hope Gardens helps you so much in the healing process. To see the transformation in Vanessa, one year after she graduated from the program, now serving as an apprentice in our peeps program is incredible and encouraging to the whole staff.
You are the reason we can continue to do this work of life-transformation. Because of your support, we always say yes, and we never say no. Thanks to your assistance, we've been able to help more families like Vannesa's.
We could not do this life-changing, life-transforming work without your prayers and support.
Thank you.
Andy Bales
President/CEO

[@christopherelizarraras8348]

U keep god first everything will fall in place.god bless you

[@GloryBeToGodForever]

Luke 18:27, “But *He [Jesus]* said, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with *God."*