Eileen’s Story
Eileen was at a crossroads. The challenge of overcoming years of addiction amidst personal tragedies and health issues was daunting. When she walked through the doors at Mel Trotter Ministries, Eileen was also facing another possible prison sentence. She had a choice to make of either getting into a recovery program or awaiting the determination of her court proceedings. Her initial decision to join the Step-Up Recovery Program at Mel Trotter Ministries was the beginning of a life-changing journey. Despite the skepticism of the judge who was familiar with her past, Eileen was determined to succeed this time.
Not only did she have trauma from a life of drug addiction, she was also mourning the death of her son a few months earlier. Eileen was completely broken and frightened at the thought of experiencing his death anniversary clean and sober. She wondered if she would be able to make it through this time or if she would run from the pain to the only thing that she thought could take it away.
If that wasn’t enough, Eileen was enduring health issues she had been putting off due to her addiction. She was fearful of a bad prognosis, but tried her best to remain positive.
Around the 90-day mark of her recovery journey, Eileen admitted to being proud of herself. “I have never made it this long in a recovery program,” she stated. Eileen fought day after day for a life of recovery, remaining focused and motivated. Because of this progress, she was given the opportunity to join Momentum, our workforce development program which teaches soft skills needed to get a job and keep it. Upon her graduation, Eileen accepted a job at a major food manufacturing company!
Eileen stayed true to her faith in God and found a church to call home, where she began volunteering. She decided to enter the alumni phase of the program to continue strengthening her recovery.
“Many blessings were bestowed upon Eileen during her time in the alumni phase, for the judge in her court case applauded her for how far she had come—Eileen was not given a jail sentence, but rather probation,” her case manager said. She went on to spend the day she was dreading—the death anniversary of her son—clean and sober, letting balloons go at her son’s grave site and sharing memories with her family. Shortly after, Eileen received test results from her doctor stating that she was healed, and her illness was no longer detectable. Praise God!
Two months later, Eileen left Mel Trotter Ministries to move into a home of her own. While staying at the Mission, she served as a great role model for the other Step-Up Recovery Program guests who followed in her footsteps. Her positive impact will continue to as she plans to come back and attend devotions. Her case manager said, “Eileen is walking the path God has created for her—may He continue to walk alongside her!”
