Having the Courage to Change is so much more than the name of our women’s recovery program. It’s the story of lives like Lisa’s.

Addicted to drugs when she was barely in her teens, Lisa was in prison when she first heard about our program. As her parole date approached, she had to go before the parole board and present them with a plan for after her release.

“My plan A was my mom’s house. But when I called she said, ‘No, Lisa, you can’t come here. I think you need to go to a program. I’ve gotten older and I really can’t take it any more.’ So I was looking at an APA (Adult Approved Parole) booklet and I saw City Gospel Mission. I wrote them a letter and they wrote back.”

After nearly 30 years of addiction, staying off drugs has been the hardest thing Lisa’s ever done. “I had my income tax refund and I had this strong urge to use drugs. Before, I had always depended on people to see me through. This time, I cried out to God and He saw me through.”

“Prior to being in this ministry, I thought I knew God, and I did know a lot about Him but I wasn’t willing to trust Him and give Him my all. Today I am. I’ve made some really positive changes in my life. I’ve stepped up…stepped up to be the woman God has called me to be.”