Empower Theresa's Path to Healing

Hello - my name is Christina and, together with my sister Theresa, we’re asking you to help her recover from a recent, traumatic event that has left her emotionally and financially flattened.

In 2019, Theresa took the necessary steps to enter the Union Gospel Mission Life Recovery program after suffering for 30 years from addiction and extreme partner violence. In that program, Theresa learned she is worthy of care, that she can be an agent in her own life, and that she can positively impact women who face similar challenges by sharing her experience, strength, and hope.

Four years later she was a living, breathing, walking testimony to God’s amazing power, mercy, and grace. She was living independently, active in both recovery and spiritual communities, and had finally gotten a job she loved—as a care aide for developmentally-disabled women living in a group home. Through her recovery community and with the help of a supportive family, she was building a life she considered worth living.

Unfortunately, the last few months have brought on more challenges than Theresa can bear alone. She had to escape from a marriage that abruptly turned abusive and move to a new place on very short notice, wiping out her financial reserves and forcing her to borrow money to complete the transition. The trauma she experienced as a result of the relationship’s end was too significant for her to manage and still contribute at work so—in addition to losing her husband and home—she also lost her job.

Theresa needs help with living expenses for three months so she can recover sufficiently to re-enter life in a functional and meaningful way.

We believe her best chance at reentering society and finding employment requires her to focus on the recovery of her emotional, mental, and physical well-being. This will come from her recovery programs, sponsor, and fellows as well as her church and family. If you can see Theresa’s story through the lens of acceptance and compassion—and have the means to contribute—your donation will go directly to keeping her housed and safe so she can continue to heal from her terrifying experience.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read our request and consider helping Theresa get back on her feet again. You have our deepest gratitude.