“There are a lot of people out there who
really need help, and this is a good place
for them. It gets them off the streets…
back to their families.”
Shantakia experienced unimaginable loss at the vulnerable young age of 13 when her mother passed away. Two years later, she lost her brother too. Then her father died. Consumed by loneliness and grief, despair followed her into adulthood and prevented her from becoming the woman she knew she could be. Then she came to the Mission.
The trauma from Shantakia’s teenage years wreaked havoc as she grew older. Without proper tools to process her grief, she allowed substance abuse to provide temporary relief from her pain and despair. But that misguided solution led to dependency and homelessness – and ultimately drew Shantakia away from her family and loved ones. While no stranger to sorrow and sadness, being separated from her children was the greatest heartache she’d ever known.
“I realized that I wasn’t being the mother that I was supposed to be.”
Her love for her sons became her motivation to finally change her life, but she knew she couldn’t do it alone. At the recommendation of her aunt, a graduate of our LifeBuilders program, Shantakia came to the Mission and laid her burdens at our door.
Changing your heart and building a better future doesn’t happen overnight. It requires months of guidance and coursework, along with a loving support system and a strong faith in the Lord – and Shantakia found all of these at the Mission.
In our holistic long-term program, she is studying God’s Word and letting His love heal her grief. She’s replacing destructive habits with healthy behaviors. And through life-skills classes, adult education, workforce development and more, she’s preparing to lead a stable life.
Just as critical to her success, Shantakia shares, is the sense of community she’s embraced here.
“It’s truly humbling how the staff and volunteers take time away from their own families to help people like me… how these people who don’t know me could love me and care for me.”
The other women in our LifeBuilders Program have been a huge support system for Shantakia as well, providing comfort, friendship – and when she gets discouraged – encouragement to keep her eyes on the bigger picture.
“They tell me, ‘When you leave here, you’re going to be an even better mom to your sons.’”
Today, with her journey of transformation nearly complete, Shantakia has strengthened her relationship with God, found freedom from substance abuse and feels confident in her ability to be a stable and contributing member of the community. Finally and most importantly, she’s becoming the mother she was always meant to be.
“The Mission helped me see that I am more than just a recovering addict.”
After graduation, Shantakia plans to maintain the close relationships she built here. She’s looking forward to reuniting with her sons and finding a good job – possibly owning her own cleaning business – so she can provide for them.
She’s grateful for the new life you’ve made possible through your gifts and prayers.
