At 25 years old, I felt like I was out of options. My addiction had taken everything from me—my job, my family’s trust, and most importantly, my sense of self-worth. I had burned so many bridges that I didn’t think I deserved another chance. My parents, desperate to help me, gave me an ultimatum: try one more time or lose their support completely. That’s when I heard about Second Chance Sober Living from a counselor at the outpatient program I had reluctantly started attending. At first, I was skeptical—I didn’t believe anything could help me. But deep down, I was tired of feeling lost, so I agreed to give it a shot.

Walking into that house for the first time was overwhelming. I was scared of failing again, but the house manager greeted me with kindness and reassured me that I didn’t have to do this alone. I moved in with nothing but a duffel bag and a fragile sliver of hope. My first few weeks at Second Chance were hard—breaking old habits always is—but the structure they provided made all the difference. I didn’t have to figure everything out at once. They gave me a roadmap, step by step.

The other women in the house became my lifeline. We supported each other in ways I never thought possible—sharing meals, going to meetings together, and holding each other accountable. For the first time in years, I felt a sense of belonging. These women understood my struggles because they had lived them too. One of them, Sarah, became my best friend and still is to this day. We leaned on each other, celebrated each milestone together, and helped each other through the tough days.

I stayed at Second Chance for 10 months. During that time, I was able to save enough money to enroll in a certificate program for medical billing, something I had always wanted to do. With the support of my house manager and my newfound friends, I completed the program and found a full-time job shortly after. That job gave me stability, but more importantly, it gave me confidence. I finally started to believe in my ability to build a future.

Today, I have two years of sobriety under my belt. I live in my own apartment, and I’m back in regular contact with my family. My parents tell me all the time how proud they are of me, and I can finally say I’m proud of myself too. I still go to meetings, and I’ve even started sponsoring another woman who reminds me so much of myself when I first started this journey.

Second Chance didn’t just provide me with a place to stay—it gave me the community, tools, and guidance I needed to rebuild my life. They believed in me when I couldn’t believe in myself, and I’ll always be grateful for that. Today, I carry their message forward by helping others, because I know the power of a second chance. Thank you, Second Chance, for giving me the opportunity to become the woman I always hoped I could be.