A New Outlook on Life
“Do I want to live?”
Alone and scared in a hotel room, Monica found herself asking this question. As a last-ditch plea for help, she called the one place she could think of: The Rescue Mission’s Women’s Shelter, Charis House.
Monica didn’t have to wait. She didn’t have to explain herself. Instead, she was met with the immediate response, “Stay right there. I’m on my way.”
Monica had originally moved to Indiana from California for a job opportunity. However, like the rest of the world, her life was turned upside down when 2020 hit and took away that job. She found herself drinking to cope with the circumstances. This drinking became an addiction, and she went through programming at The Rescue Mission. She graduated after a year, but her addiction relapsed.
For some, returning to a shelter would be seen as a setback. For Monica, it was admitting that she needed help and truly wanted to walk in recovery.
The Rescue Mission welcomed Monica back with open arms and open hearts, ready to help her get back on track. She knew the environment was safe and stable. This was exactly where she could get the right help.
Monica’s outlook on her addiction struggles and being at The Rescue Mission used to be, “Why, God? Why?” But upon returning for more help, her feelings transitioned to gratefulness and thinking, “Thank you, thank you.”
“It’s just a different feeling this time around,” Monica shared about her return to The Rescue Mission. “For me, it’s not just that I have to; it’s that I want to.”
Monica is again working through programming at The Rescue Mission, continuing her diligent efforts to fight addiction and live in sobriety.
“The staff here are my biggest cheerleaders. They don’t send you out unprepared,” said Monica.
She doesn’t view her return to programming as a failure; instead, she sees it as a positive. The Rescue Mission was the first place she thought of to seek help.
“It’s the first time in a long time I can work on self-care,” shared Monica.
“This is home. I’ve never felt like I’ve had a place where I belong,” Monica said. “When I was at my weakest point, these guys carried me.”
“They will not hesitate to call you out on your stuff. As little or as big as it might be, they’ll make that time.”
More than sobriety and belonging, Monica shared that she found “a whole different outlook on life.”
Monica’s story is one of perseverance and determination. Struggling women come through the doors of The Rescue Mission every day, and the staff meets them where they are with love, compassion, and a willingness to help. Having the confidence and trust to return for help—even when it may not be easy to ask for—is just one of the reasons staff shows up every single day, again and again. They are there to help Change Lives for Good.
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