After an agonizing year of homelessness and losing her children, Jodi hit rock bottom. She moved to the Orange County Rescue Mission (OCRM) in 2017 and worked hard to overcome her past and prepare for a new life of sobriety, stability, and strength. She was reunited with her children and was more determined than ever to succeed. However, a year after living at the Mission, Jodi’s husband left the program, and her teen daughter, Alexis, began to be really rebellious and self-harm.

“Alexis and I would always fight. We had difficulty communicating, and there was a lack of respect.” Jodi reached out to her case manager and OCRM’s Chief Ministry Officer, Derrick Burton, for help. He suggested that Alexis would highly benefit from the programs and services offered at Hope Harbor. Jodi and Alexis were able to work on communication skills, build respect, and repair their bond through family counseling sessions. Jodi was also able to work on processing her feelings of guilt for the trauma her kids experienced.

Even though Alexis and her mom were working on healing and restoration, Alexis was still struggling with occasional marijuana use and self-harming. “Hope Harbor never gave up on my daughter. They loved Alexis like their own and helped me fix what was broken.” Alexis completed two stays at Hope Harbor, totaling four years. During those times, Alexis was shown healthy discipline, taught positive coping skills, and learned how to express her feelings.

“As parents, we want to be the ones our kids come to for help. We want to be able to take it all away and make it better for them. I knew my daughter was in the best hands, in a safe home, and I trusted Hope Harbor to help both of us.” Jodi, now seven years sober, lives with her four daughters in Texas and continue to work on building a firm family foundation rooted in Christ. “Hope Harbor is a God send! I am forever grateful for Hope Harbor and their staff.”