Because of you, this new mom is rebuilding her life.
“At Legacy House, they helped me become the mother that I am and that I never thought I could be.”
Today, Annie is happy and thriving with her 11-month-old son, Malachi.
But for Annie, life hasn’t always been a joyful journey.
Annie has experienced true hardship throughout her life – 13 foster homes, jail, prison, and a lack of belonging. And the loss of her foster mom at 18 had a profound impact on her.
“I felt like I lost my whole life. I had nowhere to go, and I was really sad. So, I moved in with my sister. I realized after I moved in, I was surrounded by people with addiction, including my biological Mom. The pain of my life and loss was unbearable. So, my Mom offered me a way to numb the pain, and I took it.”
Surrounded by family who encouraged substance use, Annie’s world continued to collapse around her.
“I didn’t have a purpose. I was feeding my own addiction.”
Annie didn’t have a safe place to call home. She felt alone and scared for her future.
“Sometimes I thought I’d rather be in prison than out on my own. I knew that wasn’t ok. It’s not where you are supposed to be comfortable.”
And then something happened that changed Annie’s life. She became pregnant with her first child.
“I was still using the first month I was pregnant. When I had to go to drug court, I knew I wanted more for my child. I accepted the terms to go to a recovery program instead of back to prison. I didn’t want to go. But I wanted to give my baby everything I didn’t have.”
When Annie walked through the doors of Fresh Start Recovery Center, everything changed.
She was given a safe place to recover and heal from the challenges pulling her down in life. Surrounded by encouraging people who want to see her succeed, Annie attended group meetings and was given the tools to help her live a healthy life. She began to see the light in herself.
“VOA supported me and gave me everything I could have possibly asked for. And my baby became my future and purpose in life. They helped me find my inner self.”
After Annie graduated from Fresh Start, she moved into Legacy House, another VOA Ohio & Indiana program that helps support long-term recovery. Her son, Malachi was born two weeks after moving in and was the first baby born at Legacy House.
“At Legacy House, they helped me become the mother that I am and that I never thought I could be. They formed me into a loving and caring girlfriend, daughter, and friend.
VOA gave me a way to have and keep my baby. They stood by me at the hospital, fought by my side and helped me keep Malachi. And I’m so grateful.”
Annie’s journey hasn’t been easy, but with a safe place to rebuild her life, she has persevered through it all. As for her future, she’s determined to help others with substance use disorder.
“My advice for anyone out there who has someone struggling with addiction in their life. Give them advice about Volunteers of America. I’m proof they care, and treatment does work. Tell them how supportive treatment can be. Reassure them that you will be there for them the whole entire way. And let them know you will be there waiting the day after they graduate, too.”
“It feels like VOA is helping rebuild my family. VOA really changed me, and my family’s perspective.”
You can help more mothers like Annie find the hope they need to thrive.