Stories of Hope
Valarie’s Story of Hope
My addiction started early in my teenage years. Coming from a broken home, I longed to feel like I fit in and belonged. Drugs and alcohol were my solution and I was able to manage my drug use for awhile. That only prolonged my suffering though, as I refused to admit I even had a problem. I lost custody of my children and quickly found myself on the streets of Columbus. I tried several times to get clean for my kids. I didn’t yet feel that I was deserving of a better life, but I knew they were. My attempts failed repeatedly and I reached a deeper bottom more quickly with every relapse. The lifestyle was no longer glamorous for me and I had never felt more alone in my life. My world was dark and I was afraid. I stumbled upon The Hope Center one day sometime in early 2022. They offered me food when I wasn’t sure where my next meal would come from. I met Scott and Amanda during that time. Although I was full of fear, every time I saw them they would smile, remember my name and let me know that when I was ready, they would be there to help me. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I mattered and someone saw me for the human being that I am. Not what I could do for them or how much money I could bring them. Eventually my addiction brought me to my knees yet again, and I surrendered. I made it to Landmark Recovery in Willard, OH. My journey to recovery has been far from easy, but the most rewarding thing I have ever experienced in my life. Today I have a God, I am a present mother to my children and have a beautiful relationship with them. I’m an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous and I have been blessed with the opportunity to work with others who are in situations similar to my own past experiences. I can be a living testament to them that they Do matter, and there IS a better way to live. Today we share 16 months of sobriety and I am beyond grateful for The Hope Center and those who believed in me before I believed in myself. Recovery is possible!
Valarie H.
Brian’s Story of Hope
My name is Brian and I am an ex-lover of fermented beverages. My story is a little different than most. After living in Cleveland and struggling with alcoholism, homelessness and scrapes with the boys in blue, I decided to move to Columbus for a fresh start. After coming to Columbus my drinking quickly became a problem again. Then one day, after drinking way too many of my favorite beverages, I was riding my bike and out of nowhere a sidewalk sign jumped out in front of me and I crashed into the sign. After slowly getting up, I read the sign that said there was an AA Meeting at 6pm in the building next to the sign. Since it was just after 6pm, I opened the door, stumbled in, and announced to the group sitting in a circle that "I think I am supposed to be here". That was almost two-years ago and I have been sober ever since. The AA meeting, that was started by the people at The Hope Center, was the beginning of my new life. I then began attending the faith-based recovery meeting, also at the Hope Center, called the Hope Gathering. I felt for the first time ever that i belonged. At the Hope Gathering, I renewed my faith in Jesus and was baptized. As a teenager I was told by our preacher that God had a calling on my life. I am now fulfilling that calling as I have become part of the leadership team and speak regularly at the Hope Gathering.
Brian L.
Samantha’s Story of Hope
I was on the streets of the Hilltop for 10+ years. My addiction took me straight to the depths of HELL. Homelessness, prostitution, human trafficking, beat up and raped too many times to count. I literally felt like I had sold my soul to the devil and didn’t think I would ever return. I woke up one day and was so sick physically and mentally and even though I didn’t believe in God at the time, I was so desperate that I cried “Please God, help me, just take me out”. At that point I didn’t even care if that meant I had to die because I wanted out! God answered me though and told me ‘Your Story Isn’t Over’. Not even a week later on April 3, 2018 I was arrested on my outstanding warrants in Franklin County and went to jail. I know that was God. I knew I had a decision to make to either LIVE or DIE and I wanted to LIVE. I went to treatment and then transitional living for a year and I graduated from Judge Jodi Thomas’ HART Court. I now have 5 years and 7 months clean and sober. I now work at The Hope Resource Center as a Peer Support Specialists and the people here save my life a little more each day. It’s such an amazing feeling to be able to help a lot of the same people I used to get high with and to show them with God all things are possible.
Samantha R.
Amanda & Jayme’s Story of Hope
The Hope Center did for us what we could not do for ourselves. We would not have had a hot meal, clean clothes and so much more. Not once did they treat us like addicts. They treated us like normal people. There were days we just felt like giving up but the support, kindness, love and friendship was enough to help us get through the hardest times. We were homeless for 2 years. We were living in the garage of an abandoned house and one night someone burned the garage to the ground. We made it out with only the clothes on our back. We lost everything. We were ready for a change. We walked into the Hope Center the next day and said Help Us! That was over 4 months ago. We have been clean and sober ever since. We are working very hard on our recovery in a sober living program. We still come to the Hope Center every Monday night for the AA Meeting, every Wednesday for the Hope Gathering and every Friday for Pizza with Hope. We have found our support community and are now telling other addicts that there is a way out. God saved us the night the garage burned down. We needed Him then and we need Him everyday to keep us on the right track!
Jayme & Amanda
Rob’s Story of Hope
“Around this time last year I was homeless, hopeless, and addicted.
I am blessed that a place like the Hope Resource Center existed. Through my connection with Hope I met Scott. His compassion, kindness and story of growth and strength motivated me to want a better life as well. Now I am clean and sober. I own a construction company and am doing well. If not for meeting Linda, Scott, Zach and everyone else I'd either be dead or back in jail by now. That being said, I'd like to make sure that Hope is able to continue to be a light in some people's darkest days for years to come. If you could provide me the information needed to make a donation by either electronically or by check I will do so.”
Robert M.