“Clean” for the first time in 20 years!
Kim grew up in an abusive, alcoholic home. Her father, figuring Kim would drink and take drugs anyway, encouraged her to use them at home. “It was just kind of normal life for me,” she says — especially after her high school boyfriend’s death, when she began using harder drugs to escape her grief.
A Determined Mom
Eventually, Kim’s life was overrun with turmoil and broken relationships. “I was out there for 20-something years,” Kim explains, living “couch to couch” with friends. But last year, by God’s grace, Kim was able to “get clean.”
Her immediate priority became rebuilding a relationship with her 14-year-old son, who lives with his father. She says, “I felt in my heart I needed to show him that I loved him.”
To show her commitment, Kim enrolled at Union Gospel Mission, determined to find lasting stability and to finally get “clean.” “I’ve already got a job,” she says joyfully. “I’m just doing everything I need to do to better my life.”
“The Kitchen Lady”
In addition to her waitressing job, Kim helps make our daily meals . . . and loves every minute. “I don’t want to leave the kitchen,” she enthuses.
But Kim is giving more than just food. “When you give the guests a good meal, they really know you love them if you put your heart in it,” she adds. “I tell them to have a blessed day . . . because they appreciate it. When I’m out on the streets, they know me as the kitchen lady.”
“God is there for you.”
Kim knows she’ll have to work hard to reconcile with her son and build a stable life, but because of your support she has the hope to live by these inspiring words: “Nobody said following the Cross was going to be easy. But God has always been there. You’ve got to keep your head up and keep on moving and He’s there for you. They teach you here that God loves us and wants what’s best for us. That’s the most important thing.”
“They teach you here that God loves us and wants what’s best for us. That’s the most important thing.”
