The Mom Who Never Gave Up Hope
When drug addiction and homelessness impacted her family, Heather stood strong in her faith and determination.
Heather was talking a mile a minute, words spilling out of her about the wonderful news she couldn’t keep to herself. Within seconds of her arriving at the car giveaway, she was excitedly sharing a story and playing a recording from her phone for us.
Wait, let me back up a bit.
Heather was introduced to our team by her Advocate at Interfaith Family Services, a wonderful wrap-around care organization we’ve partnered with for previous clients. Interfaith helps families in crisis get back on their feet, including those who are facing homelessness. Heather and her two young kids came to Interfaith over a year ago when her husband’s drug addiction caused them to lose everything, including their home.
When life takes such a turn, and all the momentum and everything you’ve hoped for seems lost, who could help but feel overwhelming anger, grief, and helplessness? Heather’s response to her circumstances was to get on her knees and lean into God’s promises found in the Bible. In her nomination, Yurla - Heather’s advocate said: “Heather’s greatest strength is her unwavering faith in God. She is a prayerful woman who believes God will never forsake or abandon her.” We saw this on full display as she quoted passages from the Bible and praised God for His goodness on the morning of the giveaway.
At Interfaith, Heather also got busy rebuilding her life. With two children dependent on her, she wasn’t about to let them down. Heather got a job as a leasing consultant and started taking courses to become a realtor. She met with a financial coach to better understand and manage her finances, and she soared through Interfaith’s housing program. But without a vehicle, she was spending valuable resources on rideshares, grocery delivery services, and public transportation.
When our team met Heather and heard her story, we knew almost immediately she was the exact kind of person we wanted to get behind with the gift of a vehicle.
Which brings us back to giveaway day.
When Heather excitedly pulled out her phone to play us a recording, we weren’t sure at first what we were listening to. The man in the recorded interview discussed how he turned to God and discovered the real purpose of his life, after chasing after things that were dead ends. It finally dawned on us that the man on the recording was Heather’s husband! He has been in a Christian rehab program and is making miraculous progress. Persistently, in the midst of her heavy and difficult transitions, Heather has never stopped praying for him and hoping.
Heather, we are inspired by your faith, hope, and love in action and are so glad we get to be part of the story of God’s faithfulness and provision for you!
Story and photos shared with the client’s permission.
Photography by Clint Brewer Photography.
