Amber, what initially brought you to Love?
I was behind on my bills, mostly medical debt and I was really learning how limiting a bad credit score can be. I had been in an abusive marriage and I was trying to raise my two toddlers alone. Stress was getting the best of me and I was struggling with a deep depression. I found myself avoiding things like opening the mail because I didn’t know how to deal with what I found. I couldn’t make ends meet and didn’t know from week to week how I was going to make it. My mom suggested that perhaps Love could help me so I called.
What surprised you the most when you called to ask for help?
The biggest thing that surprised me was that there was no judgment. I had enough of that for myself. I was really scared about the intake, you know the part where they ask you all kinds of questions, but the woman who helped me was calm, she didn’t offer advice and she didn’t judge me. I poured out my heart in that conversation and because she helped me feel safe, I knew I wanted to join the Life Skills Program. The fact that she immediately gave me food and diapers showed me that there are still people who care!
Something else that surprised me once I went to the program was that I’m not the only one. It’s easy to think you’re the only one who can get in this situation, but I saw that there are others who are struggling like me. It was in the budget class that I met the person who would become my best friend. She was in a similar life situation and we immediately connected. She was shy and I was unable to show my feelings. Through our friendship she has helped me to show my heart and I have been able to help her find her voice.
What have you learned about God through this journey?
I have learned that He is always present and that He never intended for my life to fall apart but that He is there to stay with me and give me the tools to see my way through!
What are you grateful for in your life now?
I’m grateful that I am living a self-sustaining life for my children and myself. I have learned the discipline to maintain that life and have the tools to know what to do if something happened again. I’m grateful that my list of friends has grown. The volunteers and staff at Love are part of my life now and I’m grateful to be part of this community! I’m grateful that I can buy my own groceries with my own money now and I can actually take a planned budgeted vacation!
Overall I can’t say enough about the wonderful transformation that has taken place in my life. I’m grateful for Love and the difference they are making in the lives of people in this community!
Learn more about the Life Skills Program here.
We’ll be sharing 40 stories of transformation leading up to our 40th Celebration Block Party on September 24th. Please join us!