Joann's Story

“Several years, I spent Thanksgiving in prison or homeless. My family was out of my life — they shut doors. I guess you could say it was tough love. Looking back it was totally understandable. I have children who are adults now and it was hard not having a place for them to come. Sometimes it was just another day to get through.”

“I went through a divorce and a battle for custody of my daughter. I lost that battle and felt I wasn’t a great mom, or a great wife. I didn’t know how to deal with those feelings. Alcohol became my best friend. After losing jobs and my home, my vehicle, and my child — I became homeless and an embarrassment to my family, and to myself. The only way I knew how to survive was stealing. That was my way of surviving. It landed me in prison for a year.”

“I got bounced around in prison... I was scared. I remember somebody told me to pray to Jesus and I did. I prayed and I was at peace. I made it through the rest of my sentence in prison.”

“The Mission was a big, beautiful place with heartwarming people that care. The day I arrived was one of the happiest days. The next day I entered Hope Place, the Mission's shelter for women and children, and it saved my life... I made it and God got me there."

“I build a great relationship with God every morning. He’s got a plan for me and He loves me. Graduation is an accomplishment for my next adventure. I plan on going to dental assistant school.”

“Hope Place is awesome. It’s like nothing I’ve ever imagined. It’s very loving. I’m thankful for the Mission.”

Will you help change more lives? Thousands of broken individuals will come to the Mission this year. And like Joann, many will be on the brink, ready to throw in the towel, unless they can find something to live for.