Kimberly – 2015 Graduate

In my early teen years I told my parents that I had been molested by a close family member. That family member died a few years later. Although the fear of him coming after me was gone, I struggled feeling that there had been a lack of justice. In the next few years I was sexually assaulted by a stranger and was also date raped. I began self-harming, drinking, smoking weed, and partying to numb my confusion and pain. I was raped again after my 18th birthday, and I became very sexually promiscuous for a time.

I heard about the Mercy program from my best friend, who was in the application process. I almost immediately decided I wanted to apply, and my parents were supportive as well. Soon after, I walked through the doors of Mercy very broken and angry at myself.

It took me a while to open up to my counselor while at Mercy because I was so afraid of being hurt. The healing process began for me when I was honest and let my guard down. I didn’t notice how much I had changed and transformed until I left the Mercy home for outings or experienced other “everyday” things like listening to the radio.

While at Mercy God showed me that I am beautiful. I now know that I don’t need boys to gain control or feel beautiful, I just need God.

After graduating from Mercy I plan to maintain structure and schedule in my life as well as help my parents open a restaurant. Eventually I want to get a degree in social work and criminal justice. I have dreams of working for emergency Child Protective Services.

To all the Mercy supporters, please know that if it weren’t for you I would be dead. Because of your support I could choose life, and I now have an abundant life.