Hello, my name is Nellie. I had a good life. I was
raised with a mother and father in the home. I lived in one home all my
life. At the age of 17, I got married. I was married to a very good
husband for 18 years. I have two children and eight grandchildren. I was
raised as Catholic and knew about God. My life was pretty good!
In 1987, my husband and I had grown
apart and we decided to get divorced. For the next 11 years, I was on my
own and also had began to care for my grandson who was two at the time.
At the age of 48, I was introduced to
drugs by a friend, drugs that would give me energy. At this time, I was
working full-time, was caring for my grandson and was having some problems
with my daughter and needed the extra energy to get through. I began
using these drugs in 1998. Then in 1999, I realized I was addicted to the
methamphetamine. From there on, my life started to go downhill. I lost
my home; I lost my car; I lost my grandson who I was taking care of; and I
lost my family’s respect.
In 1999, I also got arrested for the
first time in my life and found myself in Fresno County Jail. From 1999
to 2004, I was in and out of jail and in and out of programs. I relapsed
about eight times during those years. Everything went from bad to worse.
I had no home, had no home. I had nothing!
Then in January of 2004, I was arrested
and taken to jail and sentenced to six months. While incarcerated at the
Fresno County Jail, I was attending Keys To Success Classes, which was
part of the CCP Program through the Sheriff’s Department. Then in May of
2004, Bill Glass came and that’s when I was introduced to Jesus and
decided to give my heart and life to Him.
Later in the month of May, while
attending the Keys To Success Classes, I was introduced to Samaritan
Women. I heard about the program and needed housing and began the process
of getting connected to receive services from Samaritan Women. I was
interviewed to go to the TLC Home. In June of 2004, I was released from
the jail to Samaritan Women to be a part of the Home.
I lived in the TLC Home for one year.
During this time, I learned more about the Lord, became closer to Him.
Samaritan Women is where I learned what Jesus Christ is all about. I also
learned about life skills and setting boundaries. I graduated from the
TLC Home in June of 2005, and received “The Blessing” from Samaritan
Women.
My life has truly changed in the past
year and one-half. I now have God’s love, peace and hope. Most recently,
I was hired by Samaritan Women to be the Relief House Manager for the TLC
Home. I really enjoy this. I feel that God sent me there for a reason
because that’s God’s plan for my life. I truly feel blessed by God!
Psalms 57:2-3, “I cried out to God most high. I
cried out to God and He carried out His plans for me. He answered from
heaven and saved me. He put to shame those who chased me. He showed me
His love and His truth.”
Samaritan
Women
