Generations Restored

Before House of Refuge Sunnyslope

Before coming to House of Refuge Sunnyslope, Charmaine’s life was unraveling. “Before coming here, I was in addiction. I had lost my daughter, Penelope, to CPS. I was in the worst health.” She remembers the emptiness of those days:

“Homeless, no job, no direction, no… faith, no spirituality… just walking around dead inside.”

Charmaine knew she wanted a different life and felt God leading her, guiding each step as she began to make changes. She entered a 90-day treatment program and, upon completing it, transitioned into a sober living home. During this time, she had “a little bit” to hold onto: “I had a job and I had some visitations with my daughter,” but she knew that staying in the sober living home—which was not an environment for children, meant she wouldn’t be able to get custody of her daughter back. That’s when her friend encouraged her to call House of Refuge Sunnyslope. She eventually called, and Suzanna answered the phone. Right away, she “told me to come in and we will do the application and interview.” A week later, she entered the program.

Finding Hope

When Charmaine arrived at House of Refuge Sunnyslope, she said it was more than she could ask for. The structure and spiritual environment surprised her—in a good way. “I started attending programming and Celebrate Recovery, and I was really learning a lot,” she said. Being in a Christ-centered place made all the difference. What she found most stunning was the provision. “Everything was provided. I didn’t want for anything. We had our own apartments, and they were clean, nice, and fully furnished.”

Charmaine hadn’t grown up with faith, but she recognized that God was already at work. “He’d already helped me get sober, find a job, and opened the door for me at House of Refuge Sunnyslope.” The House of Refuge Sunnyslope team walked right alongside her, especially through the hardest parts of reunifying with her daughter. “They were with me through my journey. I went from visiting my daughter for four hours to overnight visits to full custody. When things were not going well or things got tough, they were right there telling me, ‘It’s going to be all right.’”

She emphasizes how gentle that support felt. “I never felt shame… I was never embarrassed.”

The everyday stability made the big steps possible. “The stability and being able to ask questions, they always have an answer, they never don’t answer me.” Suzanna would ask me, “Did you pray about it and ask God for an answer?” That support and steadiness eased the path with CPS. “They made the transition with getting my daughter back so much easier for us.”

When asked for one accomplishment, she’s most proud of, Charmaine can’t narrow it down. “There’s not one. There’s many,” she said. “I’ve learned to rely on God. I am sober. I’m successfully moving on after nine months into a great apartment and have already paid six months’ worth of rent. I purchased a car, had dental work done, I have a good job with health insurance for me and my daughter, I got my daughter back, and I’ve learned lessons in parenting and in prayer”—each thread strengthening the others.

A New Beginning

When Charmaine leaves House of Refuge Sunnyslope she has a strong support system. “I have a good manager at my job who is all about charities and church, and she always pours into me at work.” She plans to continue attending Celebrate Recovery. She’s also begun exploring local church connections and says she’s looking to plant deeper roots. Charmaine is excited to be able to support her daughter in extracurricular activities, and together, they have a bright future.

As the interview came to a close, Charmaine’s daughter, Penelope, sat patiently beside her. The moment the last question ended, she piped up with a smile, “It’s my turn!” Jumping into her mom’s lap, she announced that she wanted to share her story too.

“Before House of Refuge Sunnyslope,” she began, “mom and I lived in a place that had rats. Then I went into foster care.” When asked how that experience was, she paused and said brightly, “It was great.” Without hesitation, she added, “I’m proud of my mom. She worked really hard to get me back. And I’m really happy now.”

Penelope went on to describe her favorite memories at House of Refuge Sunnyslope—making new friends and living in their own apartment. She especially loved it when they moved from a one-bedroom to a two-bedroom unit because it meant she finally had her own room. “I got to decorate it the way I wanted,” she said proudly.

Now, as she and her mom are preparing to move on from House of Refuge Sunnyslope into their own apartment, Penelope’s excitement is contagious. “My new room has a big closet,” she said. “And my window has a big tree outside—it’s so green! We even have a washer and dryer and a pool!”

Her joy doesn’t stop there. Penelope has gone from struggling in school, “I used to get all F’s” to thriving. Her latest report card shows four A’s, two B’s, and one C. She’s enjoying school, has made many friends, loves to draw, and is eager to join either soccer or volleyball or maybe both.

Generational Impact

If someone asked Charmaine why House of Refuge Sunnyslope matters, she wouldn’t hesitate. “Because it’s a ripple effect,” she explained. “It doesn’t just benefit me, it has helped my daughter, my relationship with my mom, and everyone around me. It’s not just helping the women they see in front of them. It’s what happens behind the scenes and it’s so much more.”

Looking at her daughter, Charmaine’s voice softened.

“It’s not just about me… they’ve done so much in her life too. That’s generational.”

What Charmaine knows now is simple and profound: doors opened, people walked alongside her, and God met her needs—and her daughter’s—step by step.