Trisha heard about the program from volunteers at the mobile showers.

But after the deaths of both her parents, the unexpected death of her husband of 28 years, losing their home and everything they owned and having both her young sons removed from her care, Trisha found herself going off the path.

“After losing everything–my husband and kids—I spiraled really hard,” she said. “I took the wheel and drove (my life) right into a ditch. I was living on the streets and sleeping in a tent, smoking weed and meth. I thought I was going to numb everything.”

Trisha praises the mobile shower program for changing her life. “Every Monday, I’d get my weekly shower and lunch, and they always had big smiles on their faces,” she recalled. In fact, it was the staff’s “loving and open arms” that made Trisha rethink how she was going through life. “I thought I could do it my way… But I was tired, worn out, and sick. My way wasn’t working.”

Trisha is working hard to unlearn that habit. “I kept fighting the program,” she said. “They (staff) kept telling me to rest but I didn’t understand what they meant by ‘rest.’ It took two trips to the ER, to discover what rest meant.

“I’ve found my sense of self-worth, and learned that right now, it’s OK to be selfish and focus on loving myself.”

Trisha is taking the necessary steps–like parenting classes and counseling–to regain custody of her boys, her main priority after she graduates.

“As soon as I let my pride go, things fell into place,” Trisha said. “God has it. But my pride kept me from accepting help. I was ashamed of who I had become.”

Now she’s doing the work “one day at a time” and because of the love, care, and acceptance she found, wants to give back to the program and help others. “I’ve learned there are all these people that just want to help and love you. There are so many people wanting to do good. There are so many people to thank in the process of healing.”

“After losing everything–my husband and kids—I spiraled really hard,” she said. “I took the wheel and drove (my life) right into a ditch. I was living on the streets and sleeping in a tent, smoking weed and meth. I thought I was going to numb everything.”

Trisha praises the mobile shower program for changing her life. “Every Monday, I’d get my weekly shower and lunch, and they always had big smiles on their faces,” she recalled. In fact, it was the staff’s “loving and open arms” that made Trisha rethink how she was going through life. “I thought I could do it my way… But I was tired, worn out, and sick. My way wasn’t working.”

Trisha is working hard to unlearn that habit. “I kept fighting the program,” she said. “They (staff) kept telling me to rest but I didn’t understand what they meant by ‘rest.’ It took two trips to the ER, to discover what rest meant.

“I’ve found my sense of self-worth, and learned that right now, it’s OK to be selfish and focus on loving myself.”

Trisha is taking the necessary steps–like parenting classes and counseling–to regain custody of her boys, her main priority after she graduates.

“As soon as I let my pride go, things fell into place,” Trisha said. “God has it. But my pride kept me from accepting help. I was ashamed of who I had become.”

Now she’s doing the work “one day at a time” and because of the love, care, and acceptance she found, wants to give back to the program and help others. “I’ve learned there are all these people that just want to help and love you. There are so many people wanting to do good. There are so many people to thank in the process of healing.”