Lois is currently enrolled in college to get her bachelor’s in leadership. After graduation, she wants to help others.

She’s doing things differently this time

In May 2022, Lois spent 90 days at the Mission before leaving. “In the beginning, I didn’t know what to expect. I was like a deer in headlights. … I decided to leave and go back to what I knew, back to doing what I was doing before.”

Over the next two years, Lois’ drinking only got worse. “I was living with my daughter and young granddaughter, and my drinking was out of hand. I needed to find somewhere to stay. I needed help.” Lois reached out to several other programs with no luck, there were no beds available. But Lois remembered her time at the Mission and called Amalia (Hernandez, women’s program supervisor), who assured Lois that there was space for her. In May 2024, Lois returned to the Mission. “I just realized May is my month for getting help,” she laughed. “I was more prepared this time. I’m learning more than I did before. I’m getting answers and additional help that wasn’t previously available. It’s going great.

“It’s not been difficult. It’s just been different.”

After nine months at the Mission, Lois is grateful for the tools that the program offers that have helped her process her addiction.

“My favorite part of the program is the Genesis Process. It delves more into why I became addicted, my triggers, the lies I told myself and the lies others have told me. It’s more in depth. It’s tough but it’s worth it.

“I now know what I need to do. I need to stay in the Bible, and I need to really understand what I’m reading. I need to trust God.” After graduation, Lois wants to focus on living a healthy and stable life. “If the Lord blesses me with health, I want to still work. I want my own place, and I plan on helping others as much as possible. Everybody needs some kind of help.”

She’d also like to reconnect with her daughter. “I do want to work on mending my relationship with my daughter. But I’m leaving it up to God, giving it to Him, and focusing on what I need to do.”

For now, Lois is taking online courses at Trident University to receive her bachelor’s in leadership. “I love learning, that’s my thing,” she said. “I am learning a lot in this leadership program and whatever I do, I want to make that a great part of it.” Lois is grateful for her time at the Mission. “It’s been life changing,” she said. “I would definitely recommend the program. And I want people who are struggling to never give up hope. There’s always some hope, somewhere. Be open to it. You never know what’s going to happen if you just open yourself up.”