A Hope House participant will be selected each month to be highlighted to share their experiences and hope for others!!!

April's Highlighted Participant

My name is Timothy, I am 50 years old and have been in the addiction lifestyle for around 35 years. I spent most of my childhood being bounced back and forth between my parents or older siblings due to my parents being alcoholics. I am the youngest child of 7 and almost all of us have struggled with addiction at some point in our lives. In junior high i started experimenting with alcohol first and soon after I started using drugs too. It wasn’t long before I was in trouble with the law and in school. I have been to prison more times than I want to admit. It is not something I am proud of at all, however going to prison and doing time has greatly influenced who I am today. I would be lying if I said that prison didn’t change me or give me a certain mindset about life and the world. Most of my life I thought being an addict was just a part of life. It wasn’t until after my son was born 7 years ago that I started thinking about wanting something different out of life. I was tired of the lifestyle and the rules that go along with it. I wanted to be home with my son and be a dad. Although I have been a dad for several years, as I have 4 daughters that are older than my son, I wasn’t a constant figure in any of my daughters lives. If I learned then what I learned after my son was born, my girls memories of their dad wouldn’t be tainted with long absences and time apart from each other. It was hard in the past for me to have a successful and healthy relationship when I grew up surrounded by dysfunction. Addiction is a vicious cycle that will continue to spin you around, wreaking havoc in your life, until your life becomes so unbearable, uncomfortable, and unmanageable, that you decide you cant live like that anymore. I wanted something different for myself and my children, so I tried something I’ve never tried before and got sober! I went to IRT for 90 days and the minute I got out of IRT, I went and picked my son up and it was just the two of us for the next two years. I accomplished so much in this time that I had a good job, a home for my son and I, food on the table, money in the bank and good friends to be around. I was finally living the life I never thought was possible. My son then got taken from me again from his mom and I wasn’t able to see or talk to him for over a year. I quickly fell back into addiction. When I finally got to see him again, it was supervised visits at he Family Resource Center three times a week. As the next year gone by, I got another call from my sons mom and it wasn’t even an hour later when she dropped him off to me. It was 10 days before Christmas, so I was ecstatic. I finally had my son home again and I didn’t care what the reason was. Unfortunately it wasn’t long before I got a surprise visit from DHS that informed me that they had already been looking for my son’s mom and there was an investigation for child neglect. I was resistant on following the expectations of DHS at first, as I was caught up in my own addiction. When I finally realized that in order for my son to come home to me where he belongs, I needed to cooperate with DHS before it was too late and I lost him. I have now been sober again since November 9, 2024. In this time, I have once again gained full time employment, a house to live in for me and for my son to come home to. I have successfully completed outpatient groups and therapy. I’m also in another parenting class and have gained a life coach through attending these. I attend church every Sunday and have a closer relationship with GOD now. Getting sober again has changed my life in many positive and beautiful ways. I truly feel blessed to be sober and on the road to bringing my son back home that will be healthy. I now have the clarity to see the amazing future in front of me. A future I could never see before. My family is what I need, the love I get from them makes me much more happier than anything else in life. I now make sure every minute spent is showing my kids how much I love them and how grateful I am to be present in all of their lives. Anyone can do this, you just have to make the choice and take it one day at a time!

May's Highlighted Participant

YOU WERE BUILT TO WITHSTAND IT

YOU WEREN'T BORN TO BE COMFORTABLE. YOU WERE BORN TO ENDURE.

YOUR SUFFERING COMES FROM A SIMPLE MISTAKE, EXPECTING LIFE TO BE FAIR.

LIFE WAS NEVER DESIGNED TO BE EASY.

YOU WEREN'T DESIGNED TO AVOID PAIN. YOU WERE BUILT TO WITHSTAND IT, TO GROW THROUGH IT TO BE TRANSFORMED BY IT.

YOUR CONSTANT SEARCH FOR COMFORT IS WORKING AGAINST YOUR NATURE, THE HUMAN SPIRIT, THRIVES WITH CHALLENGE, NOT SAFETY.

WHEN YOU RUN FROM DIFFICULTY, YOU DENY YOURSELF THE VERY EXPERIENCES THAT WOULD MAKE YOU STRONGER.

DONT BEG FOR EASIER CHALLENGES, BUT BUILD YOURSELF INTO SOMEONE WHO CAN HANDLE HARDER ONES.

THE OBSTACLES YOU FACE ARN'T BLOCKING YOUR PATH.

EVERYTIME YOU SURVIVE WHAT YOU THOUGHT WOULD BREAK YOU, YOU EXPAND WHAT'S POSSIBLE.

EVERY HARDSHIP YOU OVERCOME, BECOMES EVIDENCE OF WHAT YOU CAN ENDURE.

STOP RESISTING THE DIFFICULTY, START RECOGNIZING IT AS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME WHO YOU WERE MEANT TO BE.

~ISAIAH CROWE~

June's Hightlight

~Life is not about finding the end of the storm, but learning how to dance in the rain~

My name is Ashley and even though i am not a current participant, in fact i am the case manager for Hope House, i was a graduate of Hope House Program in 2020. I am here to share the hope, encourage others, and empower individuals to live their best life. I am a person in recovery of just over 6 years and i can tell you that recovery is so worth it! There are still hard days in life, no matter how well you are doing, but what matters is how you get through your struggles and use that learning experience moving forward. Early in my recovery, I completed inpatient and outpatient treatment, groups, meetings, and the support through Hope House program, and all of this is what helped me maintain my sobriety and learn a new way of living so i could be successful. I am now full time employed, have all my kids back in my life, and am truly happy with myself and the way i live. I would not have been able to do this without the support i had from people around me. The opposite of addiction is CONNECTION. We have to surround ourselves with people and places that will be positive and healthy. There is support for anyone struggling with any type of situation in life, you just have to reach out!

~Ashley Whited~ Lead Case Manager~

July's Highlight

At Hope House, we believe in fresh starts, second chances, and the power of God’s grace to
transform lives. As we step into a new fiscal year, we remain steadfast in our mission to walk
along side of individuals on their journey toward healing, purpose, and lasting change.
Each person who enters Hope House carries a unique story — often marked by pain, but also full
of potential. We are here to remind them that their past does not define them. With faith as our
foundation, we embrace the words of Jeremiah 29:11:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm
you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
This promise shapes everything we do. From the moment someone walks through our doors,
they are met with compassion, dignity, and the unwavering belief that God is not finished with
them yet. Through practical support, services, and a community rooted in love, we see lives
renewed every day.
To our participants: You are not alone. You are seen, loved, and capable of so much more than
you realize.
To our supporters: Thank you for being a part of this work. Your prayers, time, and generosity
continue to light the way forward.
With faith, hope, and community, we will continue to build pathways to a brighter tomorrow —
one life at a time.

~Shaun Wilson, Executive Director~

August Insight

Always stay focused on the windshield, not the rearview mirror!

The empowerment vision of looking out a windshield centers around the idea of forward movement, focusing on the future, and taking control of your journey.

The large windshield represents the expansive view of your present and future, the road ahead. This signifies that your primary focus should be on what lies ahead, on where you are going and want to go in life.

The rearview mirror, comparatively smaller, represents the past. While its important to glance at it for reflection and perspective, you cant move forward boldly if you dwell on it.

Driving in a car, in this context is a powerful metaphor for taking charge of your life and making intentional choices about your direction. You're in the drivers sear, metaphorically navigating your path and making decisions about where to go and how to get there.

The journey may not always be smooth. There will be detours, bumps, and unexpected challenges along the way. The windshield vision encourages you to adapt, pivot, and find ways to overcome these obstacles while maintaining your forward momentum.

It's crucial to keep your "windshield" (your vision for the future) clear of obstructions, whether they are negative thoughts, limiting beliefs, or people trying to hinder your process.

Ultimately, the vision empowers you to believe that you have the ability to shape your own destiny and create the life you desire. By focusing on the road ahead and intentionally driving towards your goals, you can experience a heightened sense of autonomy, control, and personal achievement.

By: A supporter of Hope House

September - You are NOT Alone

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

Each September, we join organizations and communities across the country in recognizing Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. This is a dedicated time to raise awareness, foster hope, and take meaningful action to prevent suicide.

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, and its impact touches families, friends, and communities everywhere. By coming together, we can break the silence, reduce stigma, and ensure that those who are struggling know they are not alone.

Throughout this month, we honor the lives lost, support those who have been affected, and stand alongside anyone facing mental health challenges. Even simple acts of kindness—listening without judgment, checking in on a loved one, or sharing resources—can make a profound difference.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available 24/7:
📞 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Call or text 988 to connect with a trained counselor.

Together, we can build a culture of understanding, healing, and hope.