“All glory goes to God”
For most of her childhood, Kristin’s life looked promising. Raised by loving parents, she excelled in school, graduated with honors and discovered an early passion for working with animals. But everything changed when she entered a relationship that would gradually take control of her life…
What began as a loving relationship slowly became a cycle of manipulation, isolation and abuse. “My ex would get drunk every night and become volatile… I felt insignificant and belittled. I didn’t think I was worthy of love.”
Over the next 12 years, Kristin lost more than her independence – she lost her confidence, sense of self-worth and eventually the belief that she could survive on her own. “I was up under his thumb financially, emotionally, physically… and it was not healthy at all.”
One night, while she was four months pregnant with her daughter, Kristin suffered another abusive episode that nearly threatened her life. Moreover, Kristin’s boyfriend coerced her to try fentanyl for the first time. She slowly found herself slipping into unhealthy habits with him.
Sadly, her boyfriend’s choices eventually led the couple to lose custody of their children.
“Being without my kids was truly rock bottom… but I had to go through that to get where I’m at now.” At last determined to be free of her boyfriend’s abuse and destructive influence, she entered City Rescue Mission’s Crossroads recovery program, where she found a sense of self-worth she hadn’t experienced in years. “Entering the program was the best step I ever took.”
For the first time, she was able to see that she could be on her own – instead of depending on her relationship, she learned to depend on God. Through counseling, recovery classes and a support system, Kristin began rebuilding herself from the inside
out. She dove into Scripture and Bible study, allowing God to lead her next steps.
“The most important thing I have learned at the Mission is to not try to control every situation.”
As she healed, opportunities began opening. She found a job caring for animals, reconnecting her with a lifelong passion she had lost. Upon completing Crossroads, she moved into CRM’s sober-living transitional housing called Homes of Hope. But most importantly, she began rebuilding her relationship with her children.
With the support of the Mission and a growing faith, Kristin is working step by step toward reunification. She is grateful to not just have a second chance at life, but also a second chance with her children, through regaining custody.
“I’ve done nothing but blossomed since being here,” she says. “I’m a better mother and a brighter soul.”
Today, Kristin sees a future for herself. Rather than feeling insignificant, she sees herself through God’s eyes – worthy, loved and safe.
Kristin believes the hardest moments of her life became the foundation for her greatest transformation. What once seemed like the end of her story became the beginning of a new one – one defined not by addiction or abuse, but by healing, faith and hope:
“All glory goes to God, but the Mission is the support system that He sent me to help continue this journey.”