Tessha's Story
On Her Own for the First Time
Tessha came to the Mission after years of drug use. Bouncing back and forth between jail and homelessness, Tessha met someone in the Inmate Outreach Services program who encouraged her to come to Laura’s Home.
Tessha initially planned to stay for just a few weeks, but when a staff member encouraged her to enter the long-term program, she agreed to give it a try. Quickly, Tessha discovered that she had a lot to learn.
Though she is a mother and grandmother, Tessha had never really lived on her own before: she was used to sleeping on friend’s couches or living with boyfriends. She had no idea of how to care for a house or pay bills, but through the classes at Laura’s Home, she began to develop these critical skills.
“When they say this program is a transformation, it is a transformation,” Tessha laughs. “My behavior, my thinking, my actions, everything just completely changed. I was just so hungry to do something right for a change, and finally I had a real breakthrough.”
A Life Training Camp
Hear Directly from Tessha
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Finding True Purpose
Since coming to Laura’s Home, Gissel says, “God has been with me. He’s giving me a chance to get it right. It wasn’t working my way. The programs have helped my relationships with my kids and their father. It’s a blessing to experience that, to work on what was breaking me.”
Gissel says the programs at Laura’s Home have also taught her how to deal with difficult situations and made her a better mother.
“My kids have been strong through it all. They’re doing great in school, and they’ve made tons of new friends,” Gissel tells us. “The staff are incredible with them, very caring. Every little need is met.”
Looking ahead, Gissel says, “I want us to have our own place. I might get back into nursing.” Most of all, she plans to keep God first in her life. “If I do that, everything will follow.”
