A Future Worth Fighting For
"Because of your generosity, my future looks different and so does my daughter's."
At 37, Dorthy is finally planning for a future she once believed was impossible. Before coming to Helping Up Mission (HUM), addiction kept her focused on surviving one day at a time. Today, as she continues her recovery alongside her daughter, she is looking ahead with hope and purpose.
"Before coming to HUM, I didn't think about my future. I was just living day to day. When I found out I was pregnant, I was almost six months along. I was shocked, but I didn't stop using. Life hit me fast, and I wasn't ready to give it up. I didn't have money or a place of my own."
"I was 14 when I had my first drink. I was trying to fit in and over time my substance use became something I couldn't control. When I was 19, I was introduced to cocaine and that led me down a path I never expected. There were times I stopped on my own, but this last time was different. I used every day for almost a year, and I couldn't do it by myself."
"When I had my daughter, Child Protective Services became involved. A social worker connected me with HUM. I knew I needed to be here because I was determined to get my daughter back. I missed the first intake, but I came back the next day because I knew this was my chance.”
"When I first walked through the doors, I was scared and defensive. I didn't think I was like the other women here or that I would relate to their stories. But little by little God showed me I wasn't just here to get my daughter back. I was here to change my life."
"The Spiritual Recovery Program helped me understand myself, my addiction and my triggers. I learned it was okay to ask for help and not be ashamed of who I was. The more I opened up, the more I realized I wasn't alone."
"Now I look forward to my independence. I want to finish college and become a social worker in mental health. My mindset is different. I'm focused on bettering myself so I can help others."
"Before I came to HUM, I was defeated. I had lost faith and given up. Since coming here, I'm growing. I'm fulfilled and this is just the beginning. I never thought sobriety was possible, but today I know it is."
"To everyone who supports HUM, thank you. I am so grateful for the opportunity to rebuild my life. Now I can see what this program is designed to do. If you're willing to be open to it, it can change your life. Because of your generosity, my future looks different and so does my daughter's."
