I was raised in Virginia and recently relocated to The WellHouse after surviving 15 years of trafficking, exploitation, and addiction. Before my life became unmanageable, I graduated from college with a degree in Criminal Justice. I began drinking at 18, and by the age of 25, I had become a convicted felon. I lost so much while living in addiction and searching for acceptance and belonging.

Around the age of 20, my addiction worsened, and I found myself using drugs and alcohol in ways that took control of my life. After experiencing family conflict and instability, I began moving from place to place, simply trying to find somewhere safe to stay. During that season, I met the person who would become my first trafficker.

At first, I did not fully understand what was happening, but over time I lost my job, my car, and nearly my life on more than one occasion. Over the next 15 years, I was exploited by multiple people, lived in fear, and experienced significant physical harm and trauma. At the time, I was so deep in addiction and pain that I did not believe my life mattered.

Today, I know that it does. My journey has included deep trauma and grief. I am the mother of two living children, and I have also experienced painful losses. After the birth of my first daughter, I tried to get sober but struggled with postpartum depression and loneliness. Even when I felt lost, I believe God was still with me. There were moments when I can now see God’s protection in my life. In one particularly difficult moment, an officer stopped to help me and recognized me from a time when I had taught Sunday school to his children. He told me my mother had been looking for me, and that connection eventually led me back to my family for a season. Still, my struggle with addiction continued.

For many years, I moved from one unhealthy relationship to another, not realizing how much manipulation and exploitation were involved. It was difficult to accept that people I loved were hurting me. At the time, I thought love meant doing whatever someone asked of me. Today, I understand that what I experienced was manipulation and abuse.

During my last time in jail, I connected with my advocate who helped me get connected to The WellHouse. I am deeply grateful that she encouraged me to make a change and take the next step toward a better future. I now know that help is available, and when someone is ready to take that courageous step, a strong support system can make healing possible. With the support of my advocates, I decided to enter The WellHouse program and accept the challenge of recovery. Through my time at The WellHouse, I began taking meaningful steps toward rebuilding my life. I recently graduated from the core program in May and have been living in the program’s transitional living for the past two months.

Through intensive therapy, structured programming, and the support of The WellHouse community, I have begun working through the trauma of my past. Today, I am living sober and clean, and I have been sober for 18 months. I have a sponsor, I am working the steps, and I am continuing to grow in my recovery. Each day, I am learning that healing is possible. I plan to attend college online and pursue my bachelor’s degree in Science Forensic Investigation.

I am deeply thankful for The WellHouse. Without this program, I would not be where I am today or have become the woman God created me to be. Thank you for reading my story. My hope is that others will see that even in the darkest places, God can meet us there and help lead us toward freedom, healing, and hope.

*Names, dates, and locations have been changed for this story to protect the identity of this survivor in our programs.

Survivor Story: Mollly