Rebuilding After Tragic Loss

Seven years ago, Angela experienced a loss that changed the course of her life. “My story goes back seven years this April, when I lost my son,” she shared. Her son was murdered, and the grief that followed was overwhelming. In the years that followed, Angela struggled deeply. “From that point on, I started to develop this nasty habit of drinking to where I was drunk every day for four years.”

Angela had grown up in church and knew the Lord, but the pain was too heavy to carry on her own.

“When I lost my son, I thought I could do this on my own. Me and my bottle. And that didn’t work.”

The first time she came to House of Refuge Sunnyslope she was only five days sober and was not able to enter the program because her drug test still showed positive. Reflecting on that moment, she acknowledged, “That is how much I drank.”

Eventually Angela found sobriety and began rebuilding her life. During that season of healing, she connected with other parents who had experienced the same kind of loss through a support group for parents of murdered children. In that community she found encouragement and understanding from others walking a similar path.

About a year later she returned to House of Refuge Sunnyslope. This time she had been sober for a full year and knew she needed something more. “I needed some structure in my life.”

When Angela moved into House of Refuge Sunnyslope, she was already working two jobs. She embraced every part of the program. “I work two jobs and I make every program,” she said. “You get an hour out of your time, and you get fed. I’m not talking about the food. I’m talking about being fed the Word of God.”

During her time at House of Refuge Sunnyslope Angela continued to grow personally and professionally. After stepping away from management and taking a pay cut, her strong work ethic quickly stood out. Today she has stepped back into a leadership role and is earning a higher wage.

Angela built up a great savings account, graduated the program and has not moved into her own apartment.

Reflecting on her journey she says simply, “My time here has been amazing. I needed this fellowship and I knew I needed it.”

At House of Refuge Sunnyslope, stories like Angela’s reflect the heart of the mission to Love. House. and Equip. Through structure, community, and Christ centered support, residents are able to rebuild stability and step forward into a new future.