Alone and Homeless

Desiree with her son just a month after he was born

I want to take a moment and share with you Desiree's journey in life and how she has completely transformed while being here at Heritage Home. Her life has been one of loss and low self-esteem. Like so many other young women, something in their childhood was the starting point to her destructive life style. But because of the counseling, guidance and encouragement they find at Heritage Home, they can focus on healing and taking baby steps to recovering and allowing God to work in their lives. Desiree now knows that she is not alone.

"Before I arrived at CityTeam Heritage Home I had no direction in life. I was living from house to house - motel to motel -- and from car to car. I stole and did whatever I needed to survive. I never knew where I would find my next meal. I seldom found a place to take a shower or wash my clothes. I was using drugs and didn't care much about anyone - not even myself. I heard that my mom was scared that I would be found dead on the streets. I remember my brother once telling me to call and say "I'm alive" and hang up just so they would at least know I was ok.

That was even hard for me to do. I have always felt removed and quiet. I have felt very alone for a long time. My father died from cancer when I was five years old. That hit my family very hard. My mom worked hard to support all of us. My sisters and brothers were older than I was and could handle what had happen. I was the baby in the family. So for me - I just isolated myself and didn't talk much.

I started using drugs when I was 13 years old and I ran away many times. I finally disappeared completely when I was 18 years old - I was lost and lonely. When I found out that I was pregnant, I finally called my mom. She immediately wanted me to end the pregnancy or find another place to live. I couldn't go back to my boyfriend because he went to jail. I didn't know how I was going to make it. There was no car to sleep in or money to pay for a cheap motel. But I knew I needed to find a place because I wasn't going to end the life of my unborn child. I was desperate.

Then I heard about CityTeam Heritage Home. I called and they asked me to come right away.

As soon as I came here I knew this was the best choice I could have ever made. All the staff was so nice and supportive. Since I've been here, I've done things I've never thought were possible -- I received by G.E.D., I've got my driver's license and have a great communication channel with my family. Most importantly, I've gained a relationship with the Lord. Last December I was baptized. God has blessed me and I realize that all of my family loves me.

I was also blessed with a beautiful 9 lb. 5 oz. son who I named Zevadiah which means "gift from the Lord", which he truly is. He was born with a cleft lip and palate. The doctors told me they were worried about him eating -- that he might have to be fed through a tube. I prayed all that night in the hospital. God truly blessed me because he eats all the time from a special bottle and he is doing just fine.

When I brought him to my mom's home for the first time, she came into my room and said "thank you for not listening to me. I love my Zevadiah." That meant everything to me.

I am now enrolled in Evergreen College to become an R.N. and plan on starting school after my son's 1st surgery. I finally have direction in my life and I owe it all to Heritage Home. Thank you to the donors that make this home possible for young women like me who need a chance at turning their lives around and for providing a safe home for my son.