Jennifer

Jennifer's story illustrates that people possess the ability to persevere through the hardest of times, overcome painful obstacles and transform into stronger, more stable individuals. Only a few short years ago, Jennifer found herself addicted to drugs and facing jail time. Thinking she had the answers to her problems, Jennifer fled her hometown to avoid life in jail, leaving her two children in her mother's care. After her disappearance, authorities placed Jennifer's children in foster care. While spending some time in jail, Jennifer realized she could lose her children forever and decided to seek help. Now, Jennifer is halfway through The Salvation Army's Renewal Place program. She is sober, with full custody of her children, and is enrolled at Southwest Tennessee Community College.

Jennifer has come a long way since she first entered Renewal Place in 2007, but she still has a year until she completes the program. She learned about Renewal Place while involved with Baby Love, a¬ program for substance-abusing women that provides a variety of services regarding healthy pregnancy and positive birth outcomes. Jennifer delivered her third child at Baby Love, and shortly after, she decided to enter Renewal Place.

"I wanted to come here." Jennifer said. "I wanted to get my kids back, and I knew I needed a good, strict program. I knew I needed long term help."

Jennifer originally believed she could simply do what was asked of her in order to complete the program, but she soon found that Renewal Place forced her to take a deep, intimate look inside herself in order to begin recovery. Jennifer has completed an intensive outpatient program as well as the program's psychological therapy.

"Renewal Place has saved me," she said. "I feel new."

Jennifer has not always had this positive outlook. At times, Jennifer felt life was not worth living. She credits her case manager, Gloria Hicks, for keeping her on track with her recovery process.

"She (Hicks) knows so much about recovery," Jennifer explained. "There are times I've wanted to give up, because I used to get annoyed. She just won't let me give up."

Jennifer's children are also an inspiration and drive her dedication to the program. Jennifer credits her initial participation at Renewal Place to her children, and she feels the program's parenting classes have been some of her most valuable lessons.

"I'm a young mom at 24," Jennifer explained. "My kids used to think I was a stranger when I'd walk in a room. Now, my children and I have formed a bond, and they know me as their mom."

Jennifer has also reconnected with her mother. Prior to the Jennifer's involvement with the program, her relationship with her mother had been strained. Jennifer's mother suffered from physical and emotional abuse, making parenting a very difficult task. She placed Jennifer in foster care at a young age. Now, Jennifer's mother is a positive presence in her life and is also a dedicated grandmother.

"I have a relationship with my mom that I didn't have before," said Jennifer. "It is right where it needs to be."

Jennifer is planning on returning home to be closer to her mother once she leaves Renewal Place. This way, she will be in school and will have her entire family in one place. Jennifer knows she will face more challenges once she enters life outside the program, but she feels confident that the recovery program has provided her with the strength and knowledge to make the right decisions.

Jennifer is already seeing and feeling the benefits of leading a better life from the lessons she has learned at Renewal Place. She is excited about school, and hopes to one day pursue a career in law.

"I've done so many things I never would have done," Jennifer explained. "I'm actually doing things, using things that I've learned, and it feels so good."