Led by Prayer, Anchored in Christ

Corrine came to House of Refuge Sunnyslope directly from a two-year residential treatment program.

Before entering that program, she was facing the weight of substance use, trauma, and homelessness. She had recently lost custody of her two oldest children and then discovered she was pregnant again. That unexpected news became a turning point.

Determined to break the cycle, she made the courageous decision to enter residential treatment, where she spent two years working on her recovery and rebuilding her life.

As her time there came to an end, she knew she needed the right next step.

House of Refuge Sunnyslope was a prayerful decision,” she explained. “I was getting ready to leave the residential program, and I was like, what do I do? I knew I wanted to stay connected to the body of Christ and still have support. I also had to be realistic—there was no way I could afford to do it on my own with littles.”

She prayed, and God answered through people around her.

“God just spoke through a lot of my sisters who know House of Refuge and heard nothing but good stuff about it. And I was like; I got to go there. He was telling me very clearly; I could come here—and it’s been such a blessing.”

From the moment she arrived, she felt a sense of peace and a warm welcome. “The apartment was fully furnished, there was a sweet care package waiting for us, and the staff even introduced themselves to my children. I felt supported and safe. I knew I was home.”

Over the past year at HRS, her transformation has only continued. She’s proud of the tangible accomplishments—like paying off her car, completing probation, and getting the dental care she long needed.

“I got a raise a little bit after I moved in here. I mean, I’ve been able to do all that stuff because of House of Refuge Sunnyslope. I would never have been able to pay off my car or do any of those things—or even get the work done on my teeth. I wouldn’t have been able to save the money I’ve saved.”

She credits much of her progress to the unique support system at House of Refuge.

“It’s the community. If I need something as a mom—say I ran out of milk, which has happened—if I need help, if I need diapers or something for the kiddos… if I post on Band, literally I’ve never gone without. I know at any time that there’s an emergency, I’m surrounded by my sisters. That’s been huge—as a single mama, having that support not just from the other residents but the case managers.”

Today, her foundation is firmly in Christ. She’s motivated by her children, her faith, and her calling to give back.

“I want to continue growing—at work, in ministry, and as a mom. I’d love to go back to school for social work eventually, but for now, I’m focused on building a strong, stable life for my kids.”

As she prepares to graduate from HRS next week and transition into independent housing, she offers this advice to new moms just beginning the journey:

“I would tell them to dig their heels in, plug in, and utilize every bit of support that’s here. It’s not just about you—it’s about your babies. Our children deserve to break generational curses. It’s okay to take a couple of years. They’re worth it.”

And to donors?

“There’s nothing like House of Refuge. It’s a gem. It’s one of the best programs you could put someone in. If you want to invest in something real, something eternal—this is it.”