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“I’ve never been to a place like this before,” says Martha when talking about Breakthrough’s Urban Ministries. |
“I was scared, even though I knew it was good for me to take a step,” she says. “I was at the lowest point in my life.” Martha first met members of Breakthrough’s Street Outreach team when they were visiting her cousin at home. Both women struggled with issues, including addiction.
Like many others, Martha did not beat her addiction and change her life right away. It has been a process, a journey of small steps. “Martha is a fighter,” says Outreach Coordinator, Brenda Williams. “She kept coming back, and when she wasn’t here, she’d call. Martha worked hard to stay on track, but it wasn’t easy.”
“There were times when I didn’t know if I wanted to come back,” admits Martha. “Not because I didn’t like Breakthrough; they were wonderful to me. It was the shame and guilt I felt from falling back into old ways.”
Throughout it all, Martha received a lot of support and encouragement--from staff and from her own daughter, who dropped her off at Breakthrough Urban Ministries the very first time. “Martha’s daughter helped keep her accountable,” says Brenda. “We worked together to encourage her.”
Martha has now been clean for a year and works for a bus company, helping developmentally disabled students. With encouragement from staff, she he is looking for more permanent housing but knows the process may take awhile, much like her ongoing recovery. “I take one day at a time,” she says.
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