Meet Jessica
Of all the clients I’ve had the privilege to meet and discuss their stories, Jessica was by far the most nervous. Anxious over what to tell or maybe who would want to listen. Though I could see her eagerness to share, I felt her reluctance to put words to her journey. Currently working on the litter crew, Jessica will celebrate 2 years at Wear Gloves in May. Most importantly, in March she will celebrate 2 years clean. You see, Jessica came to Wear Gloves for the first time back in 2017 when she relocated from Michigan. She met Ken and Wendy through her father who leads worship at Church in the Garden. Jessica for several years and through several rehab facilities battled a heroin addiction. A battle that ultimately led to her losing the parental rights of her 2 children. Although she promised herself at a young age, she would not give in to the demons that wreaked havoc on every other member of her family, a simple prescription given as treatment for a medical condition began her unraveling. Through multiple rehabilitation programs which never quite broke through the dysfunction and miles of heartache, she now finds herself on the survival side of an addiction that could have easily ended her life.
In 2017, when she found herself here in Florida and around family it seemed things were on a better path. Shortly after, she found herself in some trouble which landed her in jail and soon entangled yet again with her addiction.
In 2020 after again losing everything she held close, she found herself on the brink and ready for change. This time though, Jessica would make the choice for herself. Desperately wanting change and needing help she reached out to her father (a recovering addict himself) with a courageous phone call. You see, due to Jessica’s habitual tendency to fall back into the chains of her addiction, she had not been in communication with her dad. However, with one courageous cry for help, her father showed up and drove her to a rehabilitation center.
Jessica’s story from there has been full of redemption and exudes gratitude. On March 7th, she will boast of a 2-year sobriety that has added so much fullness to her life. She recognizes it’s not a journey she’s taken alone, “there is help out there.” she explained, “this place”. Of course, a choice is necessary, but “There is always someone here for you.” She beamed with excitement as she spoke about all the good things in her life. Her promotion to supervisor on the litter crew here at Wear Gloves is one of her biggest accomplishments. “It’s huge!” she exclaimed several times throughout our meeting. “Ken and Wendy (Wear Gloves) they kept me on the right path”, she continued, “I’m still processing it all.” Jessica realizes without second chances, a grace to cover every misstep or back step and support along every forward step, she wouldn’t be where she is today. Now she’s enjoying a life full of relationships; her mother, father, nieces, other family, and friends at Wear Gloves, continually supporting and caring for her. She takes any chance she has to lend a listening ear to someone going through a hard time. The things that meant so much to her, she tries to give back to others. There is no hiding her excitement for her future and how proud she feels with the stage she is on in her journey. A journey filled with an abundant amount of grace, not just from others, but for herself. She proves that second chances and even second chances can be redeemed. Life may not offer us a brand new start, but we do have a promise that there can be beauty from the ashes of our lives. As for Jessica, her story has so much left to be told and I anticipate it’ll be beautiful.