Graduation Date: Dec 7, 2007

Position: Asst. To the Director of the Women's Home

I was born and raised in Newport News, Va into a family of alcoholism and drug addictions. My mother was an alcoholic and I never really knew my father. I didn't have a bad childhood because my grandmother and aunt was there to fill the emptiness from the absence of my mother. My grandmother was my heart and at the age of 14 she died and my whole world was turned upside down. This is when my "I don't care" attitude shifted into full gear. I was rebellious against anything and everything that was authoritative. I dropped out of school at the age of 16 and went into Job Corp. where I was sent back home for medical reasons. At the age of 17, I was introduced to Heroin. It was then that my life of crime begun and continued for 35 years. This was a time of deep darkness and confusion, but through the confusion I managed to get my G.E.D and a certificate from Norfolk State in Hospitality Operation. Even then I continued to try to stop using on my own strength, but always ended up back in the same dark pit because of my lacking relationship with God. I even met and married my partner in crime in my addiction. On a Saturday night in October of 2006 I overdosed with noone around to help me, but God! That's when I called out to God and asked him to help me because I didn't want to die. This is when I made the decision to come to Youth Challenge Program. My husband had just graduated from the program in October 2006. I came into Youth Challenge December 31, 2006 and surrendered my life to God without reserve. In December 2007 I graduated the Youth Challenge program. I am grateful to say that both my husband (the partner in crime I married in my addiction) and I are both graduates of the Youth Challenge ministry as well as staff members (see Greg Bryant Assistant Men's Home Director). So, I think its safe to say, "what the devil meant for bad God turned it around and made it good.

Ephesians 6:10-11 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of god, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil