Lisa grew up in a small town in Montgomery County, NC. At a young age, her mother left, and she moved in with her dad. Lisa shared that her father struggled to care for a girl, and as she entered her teenage years, he allowed her to live with her boyfriend. Unfortunately, this led her into a situation of domestic violence.
Despite a difficult home life, Lisa persevered and put herself through nursing school. She worked her way up from a CNA to an RN over 15 years, finding joy in helping others, just as her father had always hoped she would. In 2017, Lisa was diagnosed with cervical cancer, which required surgery. Aware that her recovery would be long, she arranged for her children to stay with family. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, they were eventually placed in DSS care.
During her recovery, Lisa developed a reliance on opioids. At her lowest, she met someone who introduced her to heroin, and she quickly became addicted. She described how it provided an escape from her reality. Over the next few years, her quest for drugs led her to make poor choices, culminating in her arrest.
While in jail, an officer asked her, “Are you done with this lifestyle yet?” This question prompted her to enroll in a recovery class. Lisa recalls pleading with God to heal her addiction.
Upon her release, she moved in with her sister but soon realized it wasn’t a healthy environment for her recovery. Seeking support, she connected with a counselor who told her about Dove’s Nest, the women’s recovery program at Charlotte Rescue Mission. Lisa remembers seeing a sign at the entrance that read, “Behold, He makes all things new,” and felt she was in the right place.
After completing the 120-day program at Dove’s Nest, she began working at the Community Matters Café. Recognizing her need for structure, this job allowed her to learn new skills and rebuild her confidence, as the chefs there constantly reminded her of her worth beyond her past struggles.
Reconnecting with her daughter became a priority, and they now spend time together several times a month enjoying movies and dinners. Her daughter supports her recovery journey, and Lisa is hopeful about rebuilding her relationship with her son, trusting in God’s timing.
Lisa dreams of becoming a Substance Abuse Counselor, wanting to help other women know that even in their darkest moments, there is hope and support available. She works diligently on her recovery and proudly shares her story, grateful to the Charlotte Rescue Mission for saving her life.
