Kelly’s life changed on a cold, rainy day in February.

She was at her lowest point, isolated and battling homelessness, hunger, and a deep loneliness. For years, she worked cashier jobs and watched her checks disappear to rent, bills, and supporting her addicted son — trying desperately to care for him despite a downward spiral that took her with him.

Kelly felt trapped, but that’s when she arrived at the gates of Springs Rescue Mission.

Determined to overcome the traumas of her past, Kelly knew the healing would be difficult, but necessary. A crucial part of her journey was learning to care for herself first, before attempting to save her son (he is still homeless and addicted, and Kelly occasionally checks on him).

Her painful childhood—marked by abuse and betrayal—had left deep scars, but Kelly no longer let those wounds define her. Through therapy and the support of the Mission, she began to trust herself and others again.

Kelly wrote the words below in November, when she decided to begin sharing the hope and healing she’s found at Springs Rescue Mission. In January, she began a new chapter with a job at Fort Carson, and now lives in SRM transitional housing.

What was your life like before you came to Springs Rescue Mission?

Cold, hopeless, miserable, and wet! I’d lost all respect for myself due to my physical circumstances and was so far down that I only had the strength for one final attempt at saving myself. It was that or accept death and take my own life so I wouldn’t be a burden to anyone else, especially my adult son who was sleeping in the seat beside me in our broken-down car at the side of the road where we had been living. I didn’t wake him because he hadn’t reached his “rock bottom” yet and wouldn’t have come with me. I wrote him an “I love you” note and left it on the steering wheel. Of course, God was with me every step of the way, but I couldn’t feel it then. I put all my energy into that 2-mile walk alone through the falling snow, sludge and ice, wearing wet clothes, to get to Springs Rescue Mission. I’ve never been so grateful or relieved as I was to arrive at SRM that day — February 29^th.

How do you feel the Mission has helped you?

It literally saved my life physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. The staff and volunteers are here to transform lives and I’m eternally blessed by all of them. SRM is so much more than a "quick fix" or short-term aid to people in need. You get out of this mission what you are willing to put into your recovery, and you have to be willing to change. I came here with nothing but the desire to change, and God is transforming my life on a daily basis. The people here have given me hope when I was hopeless and now, I just want to "pay it forward.” Homelessness is not the real problem for people in need — it’s hopelessness, which comes from living in survival mode 24/7, 365 days for far too long. That becomes our "normal," which is counter-productive to living a life with purpose.

What are your hopes for your future?

Well, they aren't just hopes, but are already becoming my reality, seeping in and inspiring my life on a daily basis. My immediate future includes starting a new job, graduating, and moving to transitional housing. This is not a solitary journey, and I've asked for and received a lot of feedback, support, and advice through a solid, integrative support system at SRM. I’ve discovered my true, God-given purpose for existing and even for experiencing and overcoming a lifetime of trauma in my past. I am here to help the homeless, hopeless, and helpless of this world come to know God's true purpose for each of them so that they too, can start living the blessed and amazing life God wants for them. I am living my life one day at a time following and trusting God’s light on the path ahead of me. He knows where I’m going and is walking every step with me — I have nothing to fear!

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

In closing, I want to emphasize that this “story” is not about me. It’s about God’s amazing love for each of us and the miracles He works in our lives every single day. It’s about everyone walking this most difficult path that we call “life.” Everyone has a story worth telling … we just need to listen!

I literally had a breakthrough last night on how to reach the most people with the greatest impact. I’m going to be writing a book of real-life people and their stories as they cope with various stages of homelessness, hopelessness, and helplessness. This will be their stories, told by them, for the world to see that each and every one of us does indeed have a story worth telling and a voice to tell it with! I am so deeply honored to be taking up this challenge.

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