We first shared Mandy’s story in 2013. We thought now might be a good time to check back in with her and see what’s new.
Because of you, Mandy’s life was radically changed.
When Mandy came to Nashville Rescue Mission in 2012, she’d fought a difficult past. She watched her mother abuse prescription drugs most of her life, never realizing the impact it had on her. She married, then gave birth to her daughter Victoria. When her marriage ended in divorce, she and Victoria moved in with her parents. Mandy then began her own battle with addiction that grew worse following her mother’s death.
A few years after her mom died, Mandy met Gene. They fell in love and Mandy gave birth to two more children (Scarlett and Maverick), just 13 months apart. According to Mandy, the birth of her children saved her life as they gave her a reason to stop using drugs. But after some time, her drug use resumed and escalated. Mandy had no idea how bad it was until it was too late.
“I don’t remember getting in the car. All I remember is waking up in the hospital.” Her daughters Victoria and Scarlett were in the car when the accident happened. “Scarlett suffered a broken leg. And it was my fault. Once my ex-husband heard what happened, he demanded that Victoria come live with him.”
Two days after leaving the hospital, the police arrested Mandy. They charged her with DUI, along with aggravated assault. She served 30 days in jail. “I would have served a year, but the judge agreed to let me go to Nashville Rescue Mission’s Life Recovery Program,” said Mandy.
HELP AND HEALING
“The Mission’s program saved my life. I thought I knew God, but I didn’t. I studied the Bible and came to know God in a personal way. I learned healthier ways to cope with my issues. I found purpose, and I began to heal.”
After graduating, Mandy returned home to Gene and their kids Scarlett and Maverick and prayed to be reunited with Victoria. She started looking for a job but was afraid no one would hire her.
“But God—He opened the door for me to get a job doing something I love—cooking.” Even after telling them about her past, the restaurant owner hired her on the spot.
“Thank you so much for giving and helping change my life and the lives of so many people”
NINE YEARS LATER
Over the last nine years, so many wonderful things have happened in Mandy’s life and in that of her family. She continued to work in that same job for many of those years, only recently launching her own cleaning business. “I loved working there and still work for the owner, who is amazing. Only now I’m an entrepreneur, running my own business. I wanted more flexibility so I could spend more time with my family.”
“I have so much to be thankful for,” said Mandy. “I count my blessings every day. I was reunited with Victoria several years ago. She recently turned 19 and is planning to get certified as a vet tech. Scarlett is in 7th grade. She loves dancing and art. Maverick is in 6th, and he enjoys soccer and video games. They are my pride and joy! We also recently purchased the home I grew up in. We attend a small local church and are surrounded by supportive family and church community.”
“I never imagined this is where I would be,” shared Mandy. “Going through this program in 2012 influenced my family and others in such positive ways—there’s no way to measure it. I made life-long friends. And honestly, I don’t think I would be alive if not for their program.”
