Path To A New Life
In the upcoming weeks, we will be featuring stories from our Ladies of Grace. We're grateful for their bravery to share their story. Thanks in advance for taking the time to read about our ladies.
Diana
"Hi my name is Diana. Let me start by saying only " through Grace" I am a live today. I started using drugs at the age of 13. I was abused as a young child and ended up in foster care. I went from home to home never finding a family. After while I just started using more drugs and running the street with friends and dating man after man. Unfulfilled.
At the age of 16 I had my son. The state took him from me when he was 3 months old. I lost my mind. I thought that was the end. I wanted to use until I died. That went on for years along with abuse and very low self-esteem issues. At 21 I was introduced to Grace Ministry of Helping Hands. At that time I was unable to understand that this program would CHANGE my life. I went back on the streets for 5 years. During those years, I became active in selling my body for money and drugs. I never grasped that whole idea and life style. So my bottom became lower and lower. Then I was locked up in jail on some serious charges. I met Ms. Kathleen McDaniel from Grace Ministry again through letter writing. I was not allowed visits because of behavior issues. But for one whole year she wrote ME and sent bible quotes. I was released and she met me there with a mentor. She took me to a house, paid for me to live there, and helped me get on my feet mentally and physically.
I was not ready and went back out on the street THINKING I was not good enough for a better and change in life. I stayed there for 3 months. That time out I was raped by a serial rapist. I made it without any physical scare, but messed up bad on the inside. I went into a major depression. After 3 months I was arrested AGAIN!!
Thank God for jail. Within days my mentor reached out along with Ms. Kathleen and I was released. They were there again to help me and tell me that God said I'm worth more. Thank you Jesus! Its been alomst 2 years and I am still sober. I have active visits with my son. And my LIFE has changed."
Save the Date!
Saturday, May 11, 2019, 4:30 o.m. - 8:00 p.m.
A Fundraiser to Benefit the Awakenings House Home Campaign
San Marco Church 1620 Naldo Avenue
Italian Dinner Buffet $15 Adult / $7 Child
Purchase tickets here.
Give in Other Ways
We are now accepting gently used spring clothes that we can resale at Fifi's Consignment, 1608 Hendricks Avenue (San Marco location only). The clothes need to be on hangers, not wrinkled or stained, and current fashions in the last 2-3 years. A portion of the sales go to Grace Ministry to continue helping our ladies.
You can also help financially. Visit our website, www.graceministriesjax.org and send your giving through PayPal. All giving is tax-deductible and all donations go directly to the ministry. If you prefer to make a donation by check, please mail them to Grace Ministry of Helping Hands, 1620 Naldo Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32207.
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