“I never thought my life would look the way it does today. I get the opportunity to be a mother, friend, and role model. My life has changed dramatically since I made the choice to go to Gatehouse. I didn’t know what recovery was going to look like for me, but I never imagined this. My journey through Gatehouse was amazing. I was taught how to be a woman of integrity. I had my ups and downs, but Leslie and Denise helped me every step of the way. Three years ago, my children were taken by DCS because of my addiction to drugs and alcohol. Today, my children are transitioning back home; I have a great job and a nice little home for me and my children.  I have to admit that this journey has been scary, exciting, amazing and crazy, but it’s all been worth it. In times when I needed a helping hand or just a kind word, I know all I have to do is make a phone call and I have the love and support that I need on the other end of that phone.  I’m so grateful to be a part of the Gatehouse.  Although I’m moving on to the next phase of my life, I will always be there to support those women working on their recovery, as others were there for me.  The Gatehouse is my family.”

“When I came to the Gatehouse, I was completely broken and at my wit's end. Upon my release from jail in February of 2022, I felt I had everything under control and could do this all by myself.  I found myself pregnant and, soon after, married to my husband. I still thought I had everything figured out, but in a short time, I was back to doing things the way I always had. All through my decade of addiction, whenever I saw a pregnant woman using drugs or drinking, I always had something nasty to say or a judgment to hand out.  Now, to my astonishment, I found myself in that exact same predicament and was disgusted. I found myself unable to quit, but not for lack of trying. God knows I wanted to. I just couldn’t look at myself in the mirror. I was seven months pregnant and out of options. I came to the Gatehouse not knowing if I was going to be able to keep my son and be his mother. I got straight to work on my program and learned acceptance. On the morning of December 2, 2022, my son arrived in the world.  Through God’s grace and the two women HE put in my life, I was able to bring him home with me to the Gatehouse. “