Drugs felt like Heidi’s only way to numb her traumatic childhood. “Most people from the outside thought that we had the perfect family. But it was pretty much torture,” says Heidi, “I went through a lot of pain.”
As a little girl, Heidi faced terrifying punishments such as being locked in a pitch black room for unimaginable amounts of time.
“I was molested. I was introduced to weapons. I remember being four and asking for permission to cry because I was told not to show emotions. I went through a lot of pain…” Heidi’s grandparents raised her – but consistently abused and neglected her.
When she turned 19, Heidi explains that she “left home and never looked back.”
“That’s when I started drinking heavily and using pretty much any drug to help me not feel,” says Heidi. She experienced fear, isolation, and addiction. “I just didn’t want to feel anymore.”
Growing up without examples of healthy, loving connections, Heidi found herself in a toxic relationship. “I thought it was so much better than what I had gone through as a kid,” says Heidi. The couple ended up homeless – sleeping in cars or even outside in the cold. After years of complete dysfunction and three kids together, their relationship took a dark turn.
Heidi’s partner started using hard drugs…and he attempted to take her life while under the influence. Heidi suffered a severe brain injury – and as a result, she lost custody of her children.
“When I was addicted, I was afraid to say anything. I was afraid to cry. I was afraid to move,” says Heidi.
“But it doesn't matter where you are. God will find you. You could be going through literal torture, and you can still feel God’s love. I know this personally.”
Heidi took the first step – and God rescued her from the pit she was in and led her to CityTeam.
Despite facing the often insurmountable difficulty of breaking generational cycles, Heidi chose CityTeam and its faithful community.
While pregnant with her fourth child, Heidi moved into CityTeam’s Women’s Program for mothers facing the risk of homelessness (Heritage Home). As Heidi immersed herself into CityTeam’s Programs, she was surrounded with the support she needed to find freedom from addiction, heal from trauma, and rebuild a beautiful life for herself and her new baby girl.
Heidi passionately believes in the life-saving services which CityTeams offers, and emphasizes that helping one person can support an entire family in the journey of breaking generational curses.
Heidi stepped into her full potential through anger management classes, parenting courses, and a case management internship. She thrives as a mom and achieved reconciliation with her oldest daughter. Heidi plans on gaining certification to become a drug and alcohol counselor!
“When I graduated from the program, I got to share my testimony,” says Heidi. “It was a declaration of God’s power and what He wants to transform in us. I am so thankful.”