When Kada moved into Hope Harbor, formerly Laurel House, at the age of 14, she was struggling with trauma, which led to her abusing drugs and alcohol, ditching school, and displaying out-of-control behaviors.

“Hope Harbor changed everything for me. It gave me a safe place to heal and connect authentically to God, myself, and others.” Hope Harbor gave Kada the structure, love, accountability, and grace she had been missing.

Four years after Kada completed the program at Hope Harbor, she experienced new trauma and relapsed. Her life was spiraling in the wrong direction towards addiction. “I showed up at Hope Harbor at 2 in the morning. Donna answered the door and gave me a hug that I desperately needed and spent hours listening to me and praying with me.” While in the program or as an alumnus, the love and support teens receive is never-ending. Kada was able to renew her sobriety and soon went to college, where she graduated with a master’s degree in Social Work. Hope Harbor inspired Kada to become a licensed therapist and spend the rest of her life serving teens.

At the age of 23, Kada’s younger sister passed away from a drug overdose. She was only 17 and left behind a 2-year-old child. Without the skills that she learned at Hope Harbor and the support shown to her, Kada realizes that could have been her. “I’m thankful there is a place like Hope Harbor that teens can go to and that I can now help those who struggled like I did.”

“My house father, Steve, facilitated my wedding ceremony for me and my wonderful husband. I have a beautiful daughter and a job as a therapist for adolescents that I love. I couldn’t imagine a better life, a life that I have because of the guidance from Hope Harbor.”