Ta’nell’s Success Story

As a military family we moved around a lot, and I developed a reliance on my family for support even through my adult years.

I have three beautiful daughters and throughout my life I tried to stay focus on family and made every effort to keep all of us together with my extended family. Then, about six years ago, I tried drugs for the first time. I was 32 and had just had my youngest daughter.

That decision led to addiction and the worst six years of my life.

Throughout those six years, I struggled with meth abuse. My daughters and I were in-and-out of homeless shelters here in Salt Lake and I was incarcerated at different times both in Utah and in Georgia. My life was a mess.

I hit rock bottom when my three daughters were placed in foster care. I felt so alone. But that’s when I came to the Rescue Mission’s Women’s Center in 2023 and God changed my life. I was scared when I began the New Life Program, but soon I felt safe. I was no longer constantly worrying about the next place I was going to live, or how I would keep my clothes clean.

I found structure, and the routine I needed. I learned that God was involved in my life. I realized I could turn to God and His people for help, even during times when I felt alone. Soon I didn’t feel alone at all. I had friends all around me who I could exchange stories with and who would listen to me with empathy. Through these meaningful relationships with others who struggled with addiction and homelessness I experienced love, trust, and joy. I realized I had people of faith in my life who were going to have my back. I would be there for them, and they would be there for me, even through the struggles.

When I met with my Rescue Mission case manager we worked through the Genesis Process curriculum, which forced me to focus on past traumas and struggles. I began to understand that God could heal me from prior hurts. I connected with a local church, Capital Church, and have loved the lessons they teach. I was even baptized there on April 21, 2024.

Several months ago I progressed to the employment phase of the New Life Program. I had to depend on God to help me. I had several interviews and did well connecting with employers, but when it came time for a background check I would be rejected. After three of four months of struggle and disappointment, Maverick Country Stores took a chance on me, and I have had a great job with them ever since.

I feel blessed to be working and saving money and am excited to provide for myself again. When I graduate from the New Life Program in June, I plan to live at Hope House (the Rescue Mission’s transitional housing facility for women) for a while as I continue to work and gain stability in my new life of sobriety.

One miracle God did in my life is repairing my relationship with my mother. Before, we would constantly butt heads as I felt she was too controlling, and she saw a need to give me direction. Now we have great boundaries and communication. My three daughters are in a good permanent foster care situation, but through it all I have not lost my parental rights. I hope to one day work towards complete reunification with my daughters through the appropriate legal processes, but even now I get to see them once a week. We spent Easter together and they often visit the Rescue Mission’s Women’s Center to spend time with me. It’s been great to reconnect and realize God has placed them in a good situation.

I am just weeks away from clearing up all my legal issues. I have been upgraded to unsupervised probation and as soon as I graduate from the New Life Program my probation will end. I can’t believe all the ways God has used the Rescue Mission to change my life. I want to thank you, the faithful supporters of the Mission, for the part you play in sustaining this ministry and providing a place where frightened women like me can find refuge from the streets and healing. God bless you and I pray that you are encouraged to see how God has used your support to work in my life!