Hannah grew up in Montana. Her parents argued constantly, “We lived in an unhappy home,” Hannah says. She began drinking and using marijuana at 14 to help numb the pain that came with a dysfunctional family.

Shortly after high school Hannah was married and got pregnant with her first child. The pressures of supporting a family came at a young age for Hannah. Early in her marriage, her husband began to abuse her physically and emotionally. This abuse continued daily for the next 12 years.

Due to the abuse and challenges at home, Hannah separated from her family. She got caught up with gang members and drug dealers. “I felt the need to use drugs to deal with who I had become. I wasn’t happy with myself,” explains Hannah. She ended up in jail. Away from the drugs and alcohol she started to process the pain in her life and cried out to God for help.

Hannah learned about UGM in Portland from an old friend who had been in a similar situation. Hearing about her friend's amazing life-changing progress motivated Hannah to reach out to UGM.

It was hard for Hannah to uproot her family and come to Portland, but she did, knowing it was God providing a way out. Hannah says, “When I entered those doors at the LifeChange center, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace. I no longer had to carry around the shame and guilt I had felt for so long.” Over the past year, Hannah has begun to learn who she is through God’s eyes. She understands that it’s okay to fail and that God’s grace is sufficient.

Hannah’s children are also healing and growing. “I’m able to connect with my kids in a safe environment, with no worries. I finally know who they are on a deeper personal level.” Her son was nervous on his first day of school and asked Hannah to pray for him. “It makes me so happy to know that my son can come to his mom for prayer and that God is there for him when he is feeling lonely or afraid.”

Hannah has been sober for nearly two years and wants to help others in similar situations. She hopes that by telling her story she can motivate women to reach out and know that they are not alone and there is hope.

“Coming to UGM was hard but it was 100% worth it. This is just the beginning. I’m just now starting to live my new life.”

If you know of a woman battling addiction, homelessness, or domestic abuse and she is interested in a life change, contact LifeChange for Women and Their Children at 503-802-2271

Hannah's Story