Reclaiming Her Life
She seemed to have life under control but, under the surface, Roxanne says she was miserable and dying.
Years of lost relationships had resulted in isolation. An abusive partner and increased alcohol use added layers to the pain. Roxanne was settling for love in all the wrong places. Never the problem, always the victim. This is how life is, or so she thought. Getting arrested for DWI changed everything.
“Do you think it’s time to get help, Roxanne?” her uncle asked. With her life in pieces—having lost her job, her home, separated from her daughter, and forced to face her reality—this question rang in her ears. Over the next 48 hours, Roxanne was determined to find a treatment center.
Asking for help is really humbling. The fear about what other people would think about her was strong, but the desire to reclaim her life was even stronger. Roxanne checked herself into an alcohol abuse center for 18 days. From there, she was referred to a 10-month Intensive Outpatient and Sober Living program in the Twin Cities. It was a start, but recovery is a long road.
Coming out of treatment, Roxanne focused on rebuilding her life with her daughter. With no job, no housing, no car, where do you start? Someone put her in touch with Amanda Starks at Rachel’s Light.
“It was still really hard for me to keep asking for help. I was hurt and traumatized by everything I’d gone through. I was so beaten down.” The few months at Rachel’s Light were a gift. The staff was welcoming and residents were supportive of one another. Along the way, Roxanne was reunited with her daughter. She learned to trust her community and herself again. “They helped us get back on our feet.”
Four years after hitting rock bottom, Roxanne’s journey has taken twists and turns even she hadn’t expected. Today she’s a pastor leading a church plant in Southeast Iowa, sharing her story to help others. “The real, raw, honest story has made me who I am. My past doesn’t define me, but it has a story to help others. No matter how many mistakes we make, we are still loved by God.”
Rachel’s Light was key to Roxanne’s new beginning and she’s excited that their relocation to Oak Hill Community Connections will grow their capacity. “There are more women and children in need. We don’t know their story or what’s hiding underneath. Support can make a huge impact. Rachel’s Light is a phenomenal resource. The love the staff, volunteers, and donors have for people is awesome. They genuinely care. Rachel’s Light is just the beginning.”