JoAnne's drug and alcohol addiction led to severed relationships with family and friends, her church family and finally her job. She tried secular treatment programs, but "each time I went....it just didn't stick." Overcome with pain and addiction, she tried suicide several times.

After going to three different treatment centers, her daughter went online and found the Mission. JoAnne's daughter refused to give up on her mother and urged her to go to the Mission for help. Just over a year ago, JoAnne entered the OAKS program at our Women and Children's Shelter, selecting the addiction recovery track. "I'm just really thankful to be here. Really thankful," she told us.

JoAnne has since graduated from our addiction recovery program and is now apart of a select group of women entering our WOW (Women of Wisdom) program. The WOW program offers OAKS graduates a one-year internship in preparation for full-time Christian service.