Mission Stories & Impact to Inspire You — August

Katrina spent six years homeless. And the summers were the most brutal. 

“I slept in my car in the heat. No AC. No running water. It was awful. I was miserable.” 

Yet, Katrina could find no way out of her misery… “It was a vicious cycle. Not being able to use the restroom, take a shower, or do laundry. How was I supposed to get a job? Even if I could find a job, how could I get ready to go?” 

Katrina felt no hope that she could find a path forward. Plus, she’d already lost so much. “After a car accident, I lost my job and my house. I was struggling with addiction. I just felt empty.” 

Already at an all-time low, Katrina’s hope plummeted further when her 19-year-old daughter cut off all contact. 

“When my daughter stopped talking to me, I didn’t have anything to live for. I became very suicidal… and then I ended up in a psych ward.” After a lengthy hospital recovery, Katrina was preparing to get discharged. But she had no home to return to. 

“When it was time to discharge me, they handed me a paper.” On the paper was the contact info for Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission. The Lord was guiding Katrina toward a place of healing where she could build the foundation for a new life. 

“I just started crying because it was God’s plan for me to come here.” 

Once at the Mission, Katrina finally found the love and support she needed to heal — in body, mind, and spirit. “The staff is amazing. The classes are amazing. It’s like this beautiful formula that just worked.” 

Today, Katrina’s hope is higher than ever. She’s free from addiction, full of faith, and has recently reconnected with her daughter. 

“I have faith in what the future holds. I’ve learned a new way and have tools to utilize to be a safe person.”