I grew up in a small town in Alabama, about 25 miles north of Birmingham. My brother and I had loving parents and we never went without. We were raised in church where our Dad served as a Deacon, and we were always surrounded by Godly friends. My childhood holds some of the greatest memories of my life. Family vacations, Fridays with MawMaw, and shopping outings with Nanny and Mom are just to name a few. My grandfather, Pa as we called him, spoiled us rotten with anything we wanted.

Somewhere along the way, I veered off track. When I became a preteen, I remember having all of these emotions that I couldn’t seem to express without consequences. I became very rebellious against my parents, unable to focus at school, and was losing control of my life. I was still very much involved in my youth group at church, where a lot of my hurt started.

I became a Mom at 19, only a year after finishing high school, and I was married to my daughter’s father at 21. I had this void in my heart that I was constantly trying to fill with an earthly man’s love. During my marriage I got hooked on pain pills and I began sneaking around and lying. My husband was an alcoholic and when we were using, we combusted like fire and gasoline. Our marriage ended in divorce, and before long, I was searching for something new to fill the void.

With my newly broken heart guiding me, I ended up in a years-long cycle of self destruction. I was losing myself - not that I had really ever truly found myself to begin with. I lost custody of my children, was in and out of jail, and homeless many times.

I jumped from one broken relationship to the next, as well as one drug to the next. I began performing sexual acts to get my way. I tossed all of my morals and beliefs out the window. I was sexually exploited and trafficked for many years without really realizing what was happening. The chaos of my life became my “new normal.”

Living on the hood of a car, bathing in a restroom at the local Dollar General, I came to the end of myself. I cried out to the Lord and He heard my cry.

He placed me at The WellHouse and radically changed my life. I found healing through prayer, intense trauma therapy, and trauma recovery groups. The staff believed in me and let me set my own pace. I was never pressured or forced through the entire process. The staff prayed for me and over me. They assured me I would make it and find healing if I just put in the work, and that I did.

I have met so many amazing women during my time at The WellHouse and I have found complete freedom in Christ. I graduated the program in May 2023, work a full-time job, recently bought my OWN car, and I live independently at the transitional apartments on campus.

For the first time ever, I rely on no one except the Lord God Almighty and I allow Him to direct my steps. The WellHouse is ordained by God and gives broken women, like I once was, a chance at new life. I am forever grateful and blessed. I have found restoration from broken relationships, developed amazing and healthy new relationships, and most importantly, a personal relationship with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I was willing and ready. I stand made whole today.

Survivor Story: Katie