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Crystian, age 34, was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. “I was born with a golden spoon,” Crystian recalls. “I was the first grandkid and my mother’s first child. My mother and father split when I was 2 years old. My parents were my biggest enablers, and I was spoiled rotten. I attended a Christian church and school, and I liked to model, act, sing, and dance. After 5th grade, I transferred to a public school, and it was a whole new world.”

“While I was adjusting to life in public schools, we moved around a lot. By the time I was 14, I became rebellious and started running away. I would come back home, see a therapist, and run away again. Looking back on this time in my life, I was seeking attention and wanted to do my own thing. I did not know what ‘NO’ meant. As a result, I put my mother through a lot of stress, as she was constantly calling around and trying to find me.”

“In the 12th grade, I was ‘cool,’ and I started smoking marijuana socially. At first, I did not even inhale the smoke. I also got pregnant for the first time. I was pregnant with my first son when I graduated and even got my driver’s license! By the time I was 23, I had seven kids, but I had a good support system in my mom, grandma, aunt, and friends.”

“On the 4th of July 2012, my daughter Makiya died from sudden infant death syndrome. During this time, I smoked marijuana socially, but I was not a heavy smoker or drinker. My decision-making was horrible, and the company that I kept was a big factor in my not knowing who I was. In 2014, I was in an abusive relationship when I got into an altercation that turned violent. During the argument, I was shot in the face. I could not believe what happened, but I ended up lying to the police to protect my abuser.”

“Things got really bad in 2020. I had graduated from smoking marijuana to taking ecstasy. I was working two jobs and needed to ‘stay up,’ and everything went downhill quickly. Before I knew it, I lost my jobs, my relationship, and my truck. So, I packed up my stuff and moved to Atlanta looking for a change of scenery.”

“Atlanta did not ‘fix’ me. I moved back to Baltimore in 2022 and ran into an old boyfriend, Nick, who was dealing with his own substance abuse problem. He said, ‘I got somewhere for us to go.’ He had a dream about Helping Up Mission (HUM), and on July 6, 2023, I entered the Women’s Spiritual Recovery Program (WSRP), and a week later, Nick entered the Spiritual Recovery Program (SRP).”

“When I walked into the Center for Women & Children, a scripture was painted on the wall – Deuteronomy 28:6: ‘You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.’ I knew instantly that I was supposed to be here.”

“HUM is different. Sure, there are highs and lows, but if you give it your all, you will get it all! During my time here, I joined the WSRP Choir, Voices of Praise. I love Ms. Nikki, Outreach Coordinator and Choir Director. She is one of the first people I go to when I need a hug or a shoulder to cry on. I learned what ‘I am my sister’s keeper’ means; we ladies are all in this together!”

“While I have been at HUM,I have accomplished a couple of important things: First, I have discovered who I am – fearfully and wonderfully ME. I am unapologetically me and I love the new ME. Life is not perfect, and I will be okay if I lead a life in recovery knowing God sees everything. Second, we cannot do this alone! I can cry on another’s shoulder, and we can do anything if we do it together.”

“I stayed still for 12 months and became the 7th graduate of the WSRP. My kids came to my ceremony and stood there proud of their mom. For the first time in my life, it was not about me. I finally finished something that I started. Other women come up to me and say, ‘I stayed because of you.’ And now I get to see them graduate.”

“This past November, I enrolled in courses at Allstate Driving. In April, I was hired as a Transportation Coordinator for the WSRP, helping other clients get to their appointments. And on July 11, after passing my driving tests, I received my CDL license!”

“I have dealt with legal issues, lost a cousin, and got teeth pulled while here. Everything I have gone through is necessary because it helped me find ME. And I could not have done it without my tribe AND my boyfriend Nick, who graduated from the men’s SRP!”

“Thank you for helping me find myself in order to accomplish my goals, maintain my family, and gain a tribe. Thank you for giving me another chance to live. Because of you, I have had dreams fulfilled and you have inspired other women to chase their own.”

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