Cassidy – 2015 Graduate

Both my parents were drug addicts. They did not take care of me or love me the way they should have. I spent much of my early childhood with my nana. There was never a “normal” time growing up. For a season of my childhood, my mom was the most functional I had ever seen her, and she got married to my stepdad. When I was 13, he began raping me. I was so manipulated by him, everything was turned upside down. My stepfather threatened to shoot himself if I ever told my mom what was going on. A few months later, I witnessed my stepfather commit suicide. It was very traumatizing. When I told my mom what had been happening with my stepfather, she blamed me for his death. I was later removed from my mom’s custody, and when I was 17, my grandparents adopted my sister and me. I was such a mess mentally and emotionally. I was kicked out of school and had a miscarriage by the time I was 18. I moved out of my grandparent’s house and moved in with a coworker. We smoked weed every day, all day. I got my GED and later moved in with a boyfriend. I got pregnant and gave birth to my daughter, but then I started sneaking around doing cocaine and getting high every day. My daughter’s father got custody of her, and I got into very destructive relationship with another man. We began getting high together. I lost my job and started selling my body. My boyfriend would help me find people that I could make money with so we could get high. I was on probation, after having been arrested for shop-lifting, and failed a drug test, so soon there was a warrant out for my arrest. I went to jail for about six weeks, and when I got out, I returned to doing drugs and selling my body again. I would set up times to see my daughter and would either show up high or not at all. When my mom died of an overdose, I saw my nana for the first in a long time. She told me if I ever wanted to get help, she would be my biggest cheerleader. I realized I didn’t want to do the same damage to my daughter that my mother’s addictions had done to me.

When I realized I couldn’t get better alone, my nana suggested Mercy. She had heard about Mercy two years prior from someone at church. Coming into the program, I was determined not to follow in my mom’s footsteps, but I was very angry and isolated.

A major turning point for me while at Mercy was the moment I decided to turn my life over to Jesus. I had very little knowledge of any kind of religion up to this point, so Jesus and Christianity were all new to me.

While I was at Mercy, God totally transformed my life. I have a joy that surpasses all understanding. I now know who I am in Christ. He has adopted me into a new family. I am worthy and loved!

I will be starting school at a community college in the spring. I either want to be a lawyer or some kind of specialty nurse. Wherever I go, I know I will shine God’s light.

What Mercy Multiplied has done for my life is more than I can put into words. I was helpless and hopeless, and God has changed my life. I am so thankful for Mercy and the people that make it possible. Thank You!