“Don’t lose hope.”
That’s Brittany’s message to other moms and families who are struggling right now. No matter what you’re going through, God’s grace and mercy are available to you. He loves you.
Brittany is a client in the New Life Transitional Program, a ministry of Arizona Baptist Children’s Services & Family Ministries (ABCS). Her background includes abuse, drug addiction, jail and being the victim of sex trafficking. And yet God found Brittany in her mess and rescued her. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
After God intervened in her life and freed Brittany from a toxic relationship, a neighbor invited her to church where she made a decision to follow Christ. However, things would get worse for Brittany before they got better. She ended up in jail for three months. The time alone in prison made her hungry to learn more about God. She joined a faith-based rehabilitation program, but after a year, she soon spiraled back into addiction after losing her mom to cancer. In the middle of her relapse, Brittany learned that she was pregnant. She continued to struggle with her drug addictions.
Recognizing her responsibility for another life, she began to seek help. Brittany joined our transitional program shortly before she had her daughter, Gracelyn. The Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) stepped in to care for her baby while Brittany worked hard to improve her life and become a better parent. She graduated from Family Drug Court, got a job and moved into a transitional program apartment. Her DCS case was dismissed and Brittany was reunified with Gracelyn. The counseling and mentoring she receives through the New Life Transitional Program has helped her move forward and heal spiritually, emotionally and mentally.
The support Brittany has received has helped her strengthen her relationship with the Lord. She is a good mom and supports other members of the transitional program who have become her community. She shares, “My future goal is to be a part of ABCS ministry and be able to help the women who have been in my shoes. Don’t lose hope.”
As a social service agency providing essential resources, ABCS has remained open throughout the pandemic with some modifications to protect our staff, volunteers and families. The needs of families we serve are even greater now. Thank you for your support, as together we help provide hope and care to moms like Brittany and families across Arizona.