I was born and raised here in Merced and grew up going to church. My family struggled with alcoholism, and my stepfather struggled with drugs and alcoholism. By the time I was 9, I was smoking cigarettes, and by 11, I was smoking and selling pot.

I always knew God was with me, but I lived on both sides of the fence. I rose up out of poverty and fell back down over and over again. I started drinking heavily in my 20s and spiraled downhill to drugs. I never really gave my life over to God. I continued to put myself in extremely dangerous situations and around extremely dangerous people. Finally, I was so exhausted and so broken that I prayed to God to restore me from this life.

From the moment I entered the Hope for Women program, my life changed for the good with God and the other women by my side. When I came to the program, I was terrified. There was nowhere to run anymore. I was exhausted, and I had literally hit my rock bottom. Since then, I have gained sisters and brothers in Christ, a church family, and a relationship with God. I was able to get baptized in Santa Cruz with some of my sisters from the Hope for Women program. I have now been clean and sober for 10 months. I have completed the Hope for Women program and graduated.

Now I am a woman of God. God continues to open doors for me if I trust in Him and have faith in Him. All the glory goes to God, and I have Him to thank every day for giving me this life and a second chance. A huge thank you to the Merced Rescue Mission and the Hope for Women program. Without it, I wouldn’t be where I am today. This program has shown me that there is more to life, and that there is room to grow. When I have God, there is love. When I have God, there is HOPE, and I have help when I need it.

Thank you, Jesus, and thank you to the Merced Rescue Mission.