“I had nowhere to go… I was lost.”

Chanel grew up in a world of abuse and betrayal and came to believe she wasn’t worthy of love. “I experienced so much trauma, heartbreak and loss,” she says.

She felt empty inside and eventually turned to alcohol to fill the hole in her soul. But instead she lost what little she had and wound up homeless. “I had nowhere to go and nobody to turn to. I was lost.”

Over the years, Chanel sought help in shelters and rehabs, trying to put the pieces of her life back together, but nothing filled the emptiness inside. She felt trapped in her despair.

Then a mustard seed of hope arose in her spirit and led her to reach out for help one last time. That’s when she came to our Mission Academy and found the holistic, trauma-informed care she needed to turn her life around. “They gave me a roof over my head, a bed to sleep in, hot meals and the chance to get back on my feet.”

Through therapy and spiritual mentoring, Chanel has addressed the root causes of her addiction and healed from her trauma. “I’ve finally processed my pain and learned to love myself,” she says. “And through Bible studies, prayer and positive, supportive people, I’ve grown closer to God.”

With the help of her case manager and our life skills classes, Chanel has also developed the tools and confidence she needs to achieve her career goals. Now, she plans to earn degrees in cosmetology and business and fulfill her dream of owning a salon. “I’m excited about my future.”

“Mission Academy has set me up to succeed.”

A graduate of Mission Academy, Chanel is now settled in her own home, the first she’s ever had. “I’m finally independent and I’m going to make my home a place of peace,” she says.

Thank you for sharing God’s love with Chanel this Easter. Her life has been renewed through the joy and hope of the Gospel! “I’ve been made whole again and now I’m happy and blessed.”

To read this issue of Mission in Motion, click to download.