Kylie – 2015 Graduate

I was horrifically bullied from kindergarten until high school. To cope with the pain of this everyday struggle I started engaging in self-harm as young as eight years old. Though my parents are amazing people and have really worked hard to restore their marriage, our home was often filled with fighting when I was growing up. In middle school the bullying turned into sexual harassment, and my self-harm escalated to cutting. In high school I continued cutting but also started drinking to help numb the emotional pain. I become very angry towards everyone and very depressed. I had little to no hope for a future. These behaviors continued until I applied to Mercy.

I found out about Mercy from a Mercy graduate. She poured into me for several months while also encouraging me to apply for Mercy.

There were several turning points for me while at Mercy. The most important was deciding to rededicate my life to Christ. Other turning points would include times when God really revealed His loving heart towards me and healed the life hurts that brought me to Mercy.

I have learned so much while at Mercy. I am a completely new creation in Christ, and my past and poor choices do not define who I am. I have learned that the blood of Jesus redeems us and purifies our hearts. The world is behind me and the cross is before me!!!

After graduating from Mercy I plan on attending a leadership college next fall. Until then I will be living with my family, working and continuing to walk in freedom.

I want to say thank you so much to all those who support Mercy. Because of you, I was able to claim my life back and get the healing I needed to live a life of freedom!