“My parents got divorced, and it took a toll on me. I had a baby sister who was nine years younger than me, so I had to start taking care of her,” Monica says. “I dropped out of school and worked two jobs.”

Hoping to escape the endless cycle of hardship and stress, Monica got married at age 16. But the marriage introduced new problems, which soon put Monica on a very difficult path in life.

“I got bad with drugs. And then, my cousin got killed in a car wreck,” she says, remembering the devastation she felt. “I basically tried to kill myself; I tried to overdose. I knew that was wrong and came to Nashville Rescue Mission for help,” Monica says.

Years later, Monica found herself relapsing into old ways, which plunged her deeper into homelessness and despair.

“I remember one night I didn’t have anywhere to stay, so I walked to my mother’s, probably 10 miles or more. I slept underneath my kid’s bedroom window. The next morning, my youngest woke up and noticed I was out there. So, it was rough because the kids saw me . . .”

God led Monica back to the Mission and strengthened her to do the hard work necessary for permanent life changes, enabling her to recover her sobriety, relationships, and independence.

“Nashville Rescue Mission is not only a homeless shelter. They have a Life Recovery Program that helps addicts and people suffering [from] mental health issues. You can come into the Program and get healed. The Mission provides all the food, clothing, and hygiene items so you don’t have to worry about anything,” she says.

This Thanksgiving, Monica is especially grateful for the many people who choose to support Nashville Rescue Mission, making the Life Recovery Program possible. She says, “Thank you. You’re doing something good and changing somebody’s life.”

In the days leading up to Thanksgiving, the Mission will host thousands of individuals like Monica, parents with children, senior citizens, and others . . . Thank you for helping neighbors who are hungry and without hope this holiday season!