A Chance to Change

Charnissa's mother was an alcoholic. Her father wasn't around. She did poorly in class—when she was there at all. Many nights, she and her mom had no safe place to sleep. And sadly, while she was still a child herself, Charnissa got pregnant at 13 and never finished high school.

No guidance. No education. No positive role models. It's no wonder by the time Charnissa became an adult, she was struggling to raise three children with no father in the picture. She was addicted to marijuana and her work history was sketchy. It was the only kind of life she knew. Finally, when her circumstances spiraled so far downward that she was arrested for assault and put on probation—and her kids were taken away—she knew she had to change. But she had no idea where to start.

Thankfully, she learned about Hope Ministries.

Charnissa was reunited with her children, and they moved into our Hope Family Center. Like all the women in our HEART Recovery Program, we're helping her break free from the cycle of poverty and addiction so she can become a productive member of our community and—most importantly—be a loving mother and positive role model for her children, something she longed for but never had.

With the help of our mentors and counselors, Charnissa has set practical and attainable goals. "I'm working toward my GED right now," she explains. "Then I'll go back to school for medical billing and coding, and in the process I'll look for housing and a job."

Of course, the most important component of Charnissa's newfound hope and self-esteem is her burgeoning relationship with Jesus Christ. Learning the basics of Christianity and how to develop a Christ-like identity—along with Bible study and daily devotionals—are part of our faith-based journey of hope for both adults and children.

Today, Charnissa is living out the truth we share with every man, woman and child who comes through our doors here at Hope Ministries:

Your gift today will be such a blessing to Charnissa and the scores of other men, women and children who find a chance to change at Hope Ministries every day. God bless you.

A Chance to Change and Commit to the Lord

Charnissa (right) and Hope Family Center Case Manager joAnna celebrate Charnissa's recent decision to be a follower of Jesus Christ.

Charnissa and her children moved into our Hope Family Center, and through our HEART Recovery Program, we're helping her break free from the cycle of poverty and addiction so she can become independent and—most importantly—be a loving mother and positive role model for her children.

But that is only the beginning of the new life Charnissa has found at Hope Ministries! Just a week before the Women of Faith conference in Des Moines, our ministry received donated tickets for the women at Hope Family Center to attend. The conference was a life-changing and transformational event for all the women—and especially Charnissa, who prayed with a staff member and dedicated her life to Christ just a few days later!