“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
Before coming to the Children’s Hope program, Brittney’s* addictions had taken everything from her. Living at Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children (OBHC) has had such a profound impact on her life. She has changed and gained more than she could ever have imagined. She said her life today is so good that sometimes it does not seem like it could be true.
“Before coming to OBHC my life was a disaster. Now my life is amazing, and it does not seem real that I’m here,” Brittney said.
Children’s Hope is a family-focused program where mothers and their children live while receiving help in their time of need. In the program, the moms work to develop the skills needed to overcome obstacles that have been preventing them from leading a healthy life. Children’s Hope serves to empower Brittney and many families to be transformed into whom God wants them to be.
After years of substance abuse, Brittney hit rock bottom. The drug lifestyle almost cost Brittney her life on several occasions. She ended up homeless, and her family and friends wanted nothing more to do with her. She regretfully became the type of person who did anything and everything, so she started using drugs to numb the pain she was feeling.
Brittney lost custody of her son, Cole*, and was pregnant with her son, Davion*, when she made the decision to seek treatment for substance abuse. Once completing treatment, she came to Children’s Hope, and her life changed miraculously for the better.
“I never thought I would see the day that I didn’t have to have drugs or alcohol to cope, and now I am genuinely happy, thanks to God and OBHC,” Brittney said.
Brittney has overcome and accomplished a tremendous amount while at OBHC. When she first came into the Children’s Hope program, she started working at Braum’s and saved enough money to buy her first car.
She expressed that if it were not for OBHC providing her with transportation to and from work during that time, she would not have been able to be so successful.
“OBHC transportation and support were a huge contribution to my success. Without it, I would not be where I am today,” she said.
She went from working at Braum’s to completing the Technical Office Professional Program at Moore Norman Technology Center. She now has a job as a Recovery Support Specialist at Central Oklahoma Community Mental Health Center.
Financial Peace University courses are taught within the Children’s Hope program. The classes have taught Brittney a lot about how to manage her money, and she will soon be debt free!
Brittney has experienced growth in learning about friendship and letting go of anger. She said she is thankful for her family advisor whose faith is amazing and helps her make smarter decisions along the way.
Brittney knew nothing about the Bible when she came to OBHC, and now she is developing a relationship with God. She has learned to have faith in God, faith in herself and faith in the Children’s Hope program. She said that she has learned to love herself and let herself be loved.
“I have a relationship with God that I have never had before. I have my little family together for the first time, and I feel like a whole new person now,” Brittney shared.
She has custody of both her sons again, and they all live safely together at Children’s Hope. When she regained custody of her son, Cole, she felt whole again, and she said she owes it all to God and OBHC.
At Children’s Hope, the moms live in cottages with other families under the guidance of a family advisor. Once she is ready, the mom will move into a duplex with her children. The duplexes allow moms to learn how to live more independently as they prepare to completely transition out of OBHC’s care.
Brittney has recently transitioned out of the community Children’s Hope cottage to one of the independent duplexes. This is the first time she has ever had her own space. She is excited for the opportunity to live on her own with her sons.
OBHC helps carry some of the financial burdens of the mothers and children in its care and equips them to focus on spiritual, career and parental development. The moms are then able to build firm foundations to achieve long-term success after they leave OBHC. Brittney said this transitional period is very helpful in her life, and she is grateful for the opportunity.
“It’s comforting that I don’t have to worry about paying rent right now. It helps me to kind of ease into being on my own,” Brittney explained.
Brittney said she would not have made it without the support she has gained from the once-in-a-lifetime experience of being at Children’s Hope. She is extremely grateful for the program and everyone that keeps it going.
“OBHC has given me a head start on life after falling behind for so long. You have literally changed mine and my kid’s lives forever by making this program happen,” Brittney said.
*Brittney, Cole and Davion’s names changed to protect their privacy.
