By Reilly, SafeHouse Graduate, Mother, College Student, and an All Around Amazing Woman
I’ll tell you, before I reached SafeHouse, my life was in shambles, and waking up in cockroach infested motel rooms was the daily norm. Then again I wouldn’t always wake up, because I never went to sleep in the first place. I was a user of methamphetamines and a prostitute. In the beginning, I thought prostitution was going to be a great jump start into the life of riches and success that I truly wanted. I thought it was going to be the beginning of the life that every person who grew up poor ever wished for. It wasn’t. Instead, I found out that everything you make in that life goes away just as easy as it shows up. It’s like a trap. The more you make, the more of yourself you lose. Eventually, I could barely remember my real name. Eventually I was lost. I had nothing, nowhere to go, and no one left to call on. I reached the point where I undoubtedly believed that there was no further options for me. I didn’t think I would ever get out of that life.
I was somehow able to put down the drugs, but I’m not sure I would have been able to stay clean any longer on my own as I was still involved heavily with prostitution. A series of what seemed like universally designed events brought me to SafeHouse. I don’t think I can even put into words how much of a miracle it was to be accepted into the residence.
It was amazing! The timing was perfect! I could not have been more desperate and lifeless then I was while I was being interviewed. They took me in that night. I was then given the opportunity to freely relearn how to be a functional member of the world again. SafeHouse taught me how to improve in every aspect of my life. I learned about things like meal planning, saving money, and proper ways to emotionally respond to different situations. It was not the easiest place to live, but changing habits is never easy. I feel so incredibly blessed to be one of the few women in the world that have gotten to be part of this program. It changed my life.
Today, I have an amazing little girl that always keeps my spirits up,
and I am a college student attending the local college where I live. I
have a life; better relationships, better habits, and I feel like a better person. I have found interest in exercise, healthy eating, meditation, photography, and spirituality. I have continued to carry out many of the skills learned through SafeHouse such as realistic career goals, keeping my home clean, cooking healthy meals, and making it on time to my appointments. I am more able to handle challenges, and I have developed a new love for life itself.
I’ll tell you, before I reached SafeHouse, my life was in shambles, and waking up in cockroach infested motel rooms was the daily norm. Then again I wouldn’t always wake up, because I never went to sleep in the first place. I was a user of methamphetamines and a prostitute. In the beginning, I thought prostitution was going to be a great jump start into the life of riches and success that I truly wanted. I thought it was going to be the beginning of the life that every person who grew up poor ever wished for. It wasn’t. Instead, I found out that everything you make in that life goes away just as easy as it shows up. It’s like a trap. The more you make, the more of yourself you lose. Eventually, I could barely remember my real name. Eventually I was lost. I had nothing, nowhere to go, and no one left to call on. I reached the point where I undoubtedly believed that there was no further options for me. I didn’t think I would ever get out of that life.
I was somehow able to put down the drugs, but I’m not sure I would have been able to stay clean any longer on my own as I was still involved heavily with prostitution. A series of what seemed like universally designed events brought me to SafeHouse. I don’t think I can even put into words how much of a miracle it was to be accepted into the residence.
It was amazing! The timing was perfect! I could not have been more desperate and lifeless then I was while I was being interviewed. They took me in that night. I was then given the opportunity to freely relearn how to be a functional member of the world again. SafeHouse taught me how to improve in every aspect of my life. I learned about things like meal planning, saving money, and proper ways to emotionally respond to different situations. It was not the easiest place to live, but changing habits is never easy. I feel so incredibly blessed to be one of the few women in the world that have gotten to be part of this program. It changed my life.
Today, I have an amazing little girl that always keeps my spirits up,
and I am a college student attending the local college where I live. I
have a life; better relationships, better habits, and I feel like a better person. I have found interest in exercise, healthy eating, meditation, photography, and spirituality. I have continued to carry out many of the skills learned through SafeHouse such as realistic career goals, keeping my home clean, cooking healthy meals, and making it on time to my appointments. I am more able to handle challenges, and I have developed a new love for life itself.
