Hope Center Indy has taken careful consideration in the collection and sharing of this story. To preserve her privacy, our graduate has chosen to represent herself as "Hope" throughout this narrative. All content is shared with the explicit, informed consent of its owner.
An out-of-state flight, her first plane ride, to an unfamiliar place called Indiana marked the start of Hope's journey at Hope Center's Take Heart Residential (THR). "Before I got on the plane to come here, I asked God to give me a sign that this was the right move for me. It was a little over a two-hour flight here. I'd never been on a plane; in fact, I had never been inside an airport before. To say I was anxious is an understatement," said Hope.
From the very beginning, Hope's courage was clearly evident. Despite the challenges looming on the horizon, she bravely navigated her new environment at Hope Center Indy, often relying on non-verbal forms of communication. "She was much quieter; she kept her head down and would not always look at other people. We all became experts in reading Hope's non-verbal communication," Jenn Starr, the Director of Residential Ministries, observed. Hope also shared, "I came here a terrified, mute, and untrusting little girl. A turtle in her shell, safe but alone. In my experience, people who pretended to love and care about me only wanted something in return. But that isn't true here."
Jenn remembers the evenings spent painting Christmas ornaments, making crafts, including lots of diamond art, playing games, and talking. One night, they sat on the couch and talked an hour and a half together. These moments became especially precious as Hope chose to stay behind while other residents participated in different activities, not feeling quite ready to join.
What sets Hope apart is her remarkable perseverance. Due to the severity of the trauma she had endured, she was enrolled in THR's long-term restorative care program for an extended period. Hope faced every obstacle with unwavering resilience. "When she was tired, she kept going. When she wasn’t sure, she kept going. When she felt like she didn't deserve it, she kept going. With little or no sleep, she kept going. When she hit a wall, she kept going. She would hit another wall after another, and the staff felt each of them too because we were right there with her; she kept going." Jenn recounts.
"This program is hard; I never thought that I'd make it to graduation. I wanted to leave a few times. There were times when I was so depressed that I became suicidal. But at my lowest, loving people rallied around me, and they never left me. I have the love and support here I've always needed and hoped for." said Hope.
As Jenn learned through playing games like Sequence, Hope's approach to challenges was to maintain steadiness and positivity and, most importantly, never harbor a hint of revenge despite her deep pain. "I learned from Hope when we first played those games together to stay steady, whether winning or losing, and finish the game. That is what she did with THR; she stayed steady. She was always positive even in the depths of pain, with not one ounce of revenge; she kept going! She loved more, believed more, grew closer with the Lord, and finished the race with our program!"
Hope's graduation was a recognition of both her completion of the program and her incredible transformation. By opting for a purple butterfly theme, she chose to beautifully symbolize the profound change she had experienced in every detail of her celebration. Hope Center's Associate Director, Mary Nolen, highlighted the significant milestones in Hope's journey and emphasized the power of God's love and compassion in facilitating healing and renewal.
"We're so thankful tonight that we have an incredible reason to rejoice. Satan tries to knock all of us down, but he is not the victor. Jesus Christ gives victory. Tonight, we celebrate the victory that Jesus has given to Hope. We’re celebrating what our God can do," Mary proclaimed during the ceremony.
Hope's transformation was undeniable. "From walking with your head down, to smiling and greeting people in the hallways, to talking with customers in the boutique, and even last December, speaking in front of a room of over 100 people. I was amazed to see you use your voice in a bold way, and it was one of the most beautiful things I had ever witnessed," said Mary, as Hope smiled brightly from the table across the stage. "What an honor it has been to see from week to week, month to month, and even year to year, the transforming work God has done in you. Hope, you have persevered, and you have fought the fight. Tonight, we commend you for your courage, and we thank you for allowing us to be part of your journey. We thank you for allowing us to see God's power at work in you."
Beyond her perseverance and transformation, Hope's capacity for love and compassion was ever-flowing. It was apparent in how deeply she connected with everyone. On numerous occasions, Mary remembers how Hope embraced others in the Prayer Center, comforted those shedding tears, and congratulated peers for their courage in sharing with the group. Her warm hugs and bright smiles are now treasured gifts to all at the center. Without a doubt, many in the room on any given day find delight in hearing Hope's laughter.
"God has done many amazing things in my life since I've been here. The most important is proving that I am, in fact, loveable. I look around the room and see the faces of people who care about and love me unconditionally. Mere words can't express my gratitude," said Hope. "Being here has given me so much hope and started me on the road to healing. I've done so many things that I never dreamed I'd ever be able to do. I've learned so much here. One of the hardest is that I can do hard things even though I'm afraid; changing and healing are hard, but so is staying the same. You just have to choose your hard. I think the biggest thing I've learned is that I don't have to be ashamed of my scars or my story."
Just days before her graduation, Hope took a bold step toward her future by enrolling in college to study for a nursing degree. She embraced the opportunity to learn how to drive through lessons provided by a board member of the Hope Center and decided to enroll in Hope Community, the center's transitional housing program for graduates.
During her speech at her graduation, Hope encouraged her fellow residents, "To my sisters in the program, I want to encourage you not to give up. If I can do this, I really believe you can too."
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
"You might have been struck down," said Mary, "but you are not destroyed. Jesus has more to say."
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