Joanie’s Story of Hope
Earlier in my life, I made some bad choices that led me into some bad habits, and eventually, one of those habits became an addiction. Over time, it cost me just about everything I had, including my relationship with my children and my home. That’s a big part of how I came to Western Carolina Rescue Ministries. At the time, I was in another program, and my counselors were helping me figure out what my next steps should be. They helped me find the Mission because I needed more than someone to point me toward services. I needed a safe place to stay, but I also needed a place where I could keep working on my life.
I found out pretty quickly that WCRM isn’t just a shelter. It’s a real working program designed to help people move forward.
I went through the W.O.W, the Women of Worth program, and I’m so grateful to say that I have graduated. W.O.W helped me begin to recognize some of the things I had lost along the way through my addiction and, more importantly, helped me start getting those things back. I needed more than a roof over my head. I needed to become myself again. And I’m still working on that, because I’ve learned that healing and rebuilding your life is a process. One of my greatest fears has always been ending up homeless again. That fear doesn’t vanish just because you’re safe today. I still carry memories and emotions from that season, and I’m learning how to move past them. But I have hope now. If I keep doing what I’m supposed to do, I’ll have a place of my own soon. A big part of my progress has come from the classes and biblical teaching at the Mission. We study the Bible, and we also take practical classes like exercise and Life Skills. Life Skills has been my favorite. One lesson on verbal and nonverbal communication really stuck with me. These are things I can use every day, taught from a faith-based perspective. I’m not just learning to live differently. I’m learning how God wants me to live.
Community is a huge part of recovery too. Sharing space and life with people you didn’t choose has its ups and downs, but it’s also been one of the best parts of being here. I’ve met women who understand what it means to struggle, to start over, to try to become something different. I’ve also gotten to know staff who genuinely care about the people they serve. Miss Angie, my director, is one of those people. Early on, she sat with me and talked about my future. She didn’t tell me what I was going to do. She told me what I was capable of doing. That’s a big difference. She helped me see myself the way God sees me, not just as a client passing through.
I’ve seen that kind of care in real moments too. Once I got a bad burn in the kitchen, and I was amazed at how fast it healed. Somebody had to be praying for me. Moments like that have grown my faith. Whatever you’re going through can become a blessing or a lesson. God can take the broken pieces of your life and use them for something good. Now something I never expected has happened. I’m not only a graduate of the WOW Program, I’m an employee here. I work the front desk in the evenings, helping people walk through the same doors I once walked through. I get to welcome them, listen, and offer the kindness that was given to me. I came needing help, and now I get to help someone else. It feels like God brought my story full circle.
If someone were standing where I used to stand, wondering whether to come, I’d tell them not to be afraid. Put one foot in front of the other and ask for help. You don’t have to know how it’ll work out before you walk through the door. You adapt as you go, lean on community, and let God work.
I feel chosen to be in this place, like someone who was given another chance. I’m excited for what’s next. When I have a place of my own, I want to stay in touch with the women I’ve met, maybe get lunch, maybe even host a little tea party someday. I came needing a place to stay. I’m leaving with community, hope, purpose, and a deeper faith. Somewhere along the way, I found myself again.
