When Whitney walked back through the doors of Nashville Rescue Mission, she breathed a massive sigh of relief. It had been four years since she’d left the Mission. A lot had changed in that time. She was now a single mom to two small children, and she needed help more than ever before.
“This time, I had stayed sober for 14 months,” shared Whitney. “I don’t know how the heck I did it because I was not stable. I had completed only three months of a rehab program when they pushed me into transitional housing. From the outside, it looked like I had it all together. But I was working two jobs, paying my bills, and helping my mom out by sending her money each month. I also had a two-year-old son who had recently been diagnosed with autism, and I was pregnant. I was so stressed out and afraid of losing everything.”
Things got more stressful following the birth of her baby girl as Whitney experienced complications from the c-section and spent 15 days in the ICU. Once home, she felt overwhelmed and saw herself starting to slip. Whitney had already overcome so much in her life—an unsettled childhood, a dysfunctional family, abuse, PTSD, addiction, a mental breakdown, incarceration, overmedicating, drinking, fighting, and postpartum depression. And now, she was terrified of relapse and losing everything.
“I found God when I was at the Mission the first time,” said Whitney. “It was the best place I had ever been to. But I didn’t finish the program back then. Years of lies, deception, and confusion had pulled me back to Memphis before I finished. But I never forgot what I learned at the Mission—and that was TRUTH. I learned who God is and how much He loves me. After my daughter was born, I knew I couldn’t manage things on my own, but I did know where I could turn for help—Nashville Rescue Mission.”
Moms battling addiction often face a tough choice: taking care of themselves or taking care of their children. Thankfully, Whitney didn’t have to choose. The Mission’s Life Recovery Program can accommodate mothers with children; boys up to age six.
“I had always wanted to be a mom,” recalled Whitney. “I believe God put that desire in my heart. My children mean the world to me. I knew if I was going to get back on my feet and stay sober, it had to be someplace where I could bring my kids with me. I called the Mission to see if I could come back. When they said yes, I was beyond thrilled. I quit my job, packed up all our stuff, and drove straight to the Mission.”
While in the Mission’s Life Recovery Program, Whitney’s children are in daycare while she attends classes and learns new life skills. She also participates in counseling and life coaching. The goal is to help Whitney learn how to break the cycle of addiction, stay sober, and create a nurturing home for her children.
“I look at my kids every day and praise God for them,” shared Whitney. “I’m also incredibly thankful to the Mission and everyone who supports it. It’s because of the generosity of strangers I get a do-over, and this time I’m going to do it right. I don’t have to worry about food, or diapers, or things like that. I can focus on taking care of myself and building a healthy foundation for my family. It’s a blessing.”
Your support provides a safe, healing environment with counseling, accountability, and guidance where hurting people are made whole. You help provide addiction recovery, reconnection with God, and practical life skills for a stable new life.
Will you help others like Whitney?
