From Brokenness to Redemption

Hi, my name is Heather. My childhood was marked by chaos and abandonment. When I was 12 years old, I woke up to a SWAT team raiding our home. My dad had shot up the house, and in that moment, I truly thought my mom was dead. Alcohol and partying had taken over my parents’ lives, and that night changed everything.

After that, my mom disappeared and moved to Florida. My sisters were gone, my dad was rarely home, and at just 12 years old, I was left to raise myself—getting to school on my own and simply trying to survive. I was angry, hurt, and couldn’t understand why everyone had abandoned me.

My view of God was shattered. I began smoking, drinking, and acting out. By 15, I had moved in with my boyfriend, and anytime life got hard, I ran.

At 18, I thought having a baby would fill the emptiness inside me, and I had my daughter, Kierria. But my pain only grew deeper. By my early twenties, I was drinking heavily, facing legal trouble, and spiraling into addiction. Drugs became my way of numbing trauma I had never healed from.

After a broken marriage, I turned to crack cocaine and harder substances. We had our son, Kaden, but when he was only two, I wasn’t capable of caring for him and had to give him to his dad. My life became a vicious cycle of addiction, homelessness, and regret.

When my grandmother, my mom, and my dad all died within three months, I hit rock bottom. In 2021, I was arrested, and for the first time, I felt relief—I was exhausted from the life I was living.

I kept hearing about WeCare Recovery Home and decided to reach out. I started the application process, but first, I went through a 30-day rehab program at Meridian. For the first time, I began receiving psychiatric help to process my trauma. 

It’s crazy—my entire life, I had felt like I wanted to die. But when I truly gave my life to God, I didn’t feel that way anymore. I had finally begun my journey of healing.

Living at WeCare forced me to confront my pain, but it also introduced me to love, structure, accountability, and hope. In the WeCare prayer room, I asked God to heal my mind. I also asked Him to soften my ex’s heart so I could see my son again. About six months after arriving at WeCare, that prayer was answered! God knew I needed my children back! I now have a relationship with both of my children, and I am blessed to be Nana to our two four year old grandsons!

Today, I have a new life in Christ. I’ve stayed committed to recovery, grown through therapy, and now use my story to help others as a Peer Recovery Coach.

God has restored what I thought was lost. My life is no longer defined by brokenness, but by redemption.

Thank you, Jesus.