Stephanie C.

When I walked out of prison, it didn’t feel like I was discharging from 15 years. I was discharging my entire past – my criminal activity, my addictions, my incarcerations, and my trauma. I have a new start. I had taken classes to understand where my issues came from, but getting over them was another thing. In the past, I tried to run away from my problems by going to Dallas or Tulsa or back home. But no matter where I ran, my addictions went with me. I never met anyone like the people at TEEM who helped me. I knew they existed, but I didn’t see it – and I definitely didn’t think they existed for me. Now I know I belong. Now I have hope. The Lord was working on me during my incarceration. I was able to better my life by taking classes. I went to recovery; I took control of my health. I have a healthy social life and good people I can always call on if I need them. This is what I want people to know: there is hope.