Stories of Change
“ I would be taking drugs in the bathroom of my parents’ house and then going down for Christmas with mom and dad.”
“The more I walk with God the more I realize how imperfect I am… but yet we serve a holy God that loves us no matter what.”
“I promised I would seek God the same way I sought drugs, and that’s what led me to Pacific Garden Mission.”
“When I came to Pacific Garden Mission, my thoughts changed. I renewed my faith…the Hand of God is in this building.”
“I got a wake-up, and God opened my spiritual eyes to discern what was good and bad, how to be humble…”
“My father is an addict. My mom’s an alcoholic, too. I had to grow up really quickly.”
“When I turned 15 I started getting in trouble again and using heavy drugs. When I was 17 I found heroin.”
“My life became unmanageable…I burned a lot of bridges. I prayed to God to deliver me from this addiction.”
“I thought I had failed as a mom. For two years, my daughters and I were homeless, and while my husband, Tony, was in jail, we were bouncing around staying with different family and friends. Some of the people we stayed with were drinking, using drugs, and involved with gangs. I hadn’t realized how toxic and unhealthy some people were until I lived with them…
From the outside, someone caught in addiction can appear to be simply selfish and seeking self-gratification. But the truth is most of these addictions are just “fruits” masking deeper root problems. A past physical or emotional trauma can turn into a spiritual malady, which can alter the course of an entire life if not addressed. The roots of addition can be many, but often an addiction can stem from this pain and trauma.
My name is Yvette. I am 29 years old, and I currently live at Pacific Garden Mission with my four-year-old daughter, August. As a child, I grew up in a single parent household.