Thistle Hills has been a blessing in my life in many ways.  This program has helped me maintain 1 year of sobriety by providing me with a stable and safe place to live where I've connected  with many different providers to help me transition from the lost hopeless existence I once called life into a fresh new chapter of  the rest of my life. One with endless possibilities and countless dreams.  Thanks to Thistle Hills I am currently employed part-time, at a job I really enjoy.  I have a banking account and have begun to rebuild my credit. Our program is more than a program, it is my refuge. I still encounter fears and periods of doubt , but they are fleeting.  Probably because I have become more self aware and now practice a large variety of coping skills I've learned along the way.  Today I feel supported. Today I know God has a plan for my life. Today I have hope of a better tomorrow. Today I know I am not alone nor am I forgotten.

My favorite thing to do here this year was to start a garden from seedlings. I absolutely loved the entire process from sowing seeds to watering and maintaining the garden beds to actually harvesting and eating the vegetables we grew.  The fact that we only have 4 women here means we all get individual support and encouragement as we learn to live together and face the obstacles in front of us together. There is so much about daily activities that will help me as I transition from here. Most importantly I've been learning how to ask for the things I need help with and also to admit the things I am struggling with.  The biggest lesson I have learned so far is how to relax and let things unfold naturally.  I knew I needed a long term place in order to establish my footing so when I found out that this was a 2 year program I felt a sense of relief. I am confident that in this 2 year journey I will be able to get a solid foundation in my recovery as well as prepare for the road ahead.  The thing I am most proud of is my commitment to this program and myself. I don't ever want to look back, I'm so happy to wake up everyday with a sense of peace and well being. 

I hope it is clear how Thistle Hills has impacted every aspect of my life: financially, mentally, physically and spiritually.

One thing I'd want everyone to know is just how important this program is to me and the other ladies it serves.  All of you not only impact our lives but the lives of our loved ones and children.  The ripple effect that this program has is not to be taken lightly.  Thistle Hills mission has been absolutely life-changing for me. So I say THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.

Thistle Hills is a chance for me to actually have a life not just an existence. Before I came to Thistle Hills, I didn't have much hope of maintaining recovery. In my case, history repeated itself over and over, and I wouldn’t remain in recovery for very long. I tried controlling my addictions in many different ways, all failed. This time around I’m doing something different, I’m taking the suggestions, realizing my ways didn’t work. I was in a very dark place and very close to hopeless. I was homeless, I didn’t have any way to protect my cat or myself for that matter, no money or even food for myself. I knew the only way to end that vicious cycle was to stop using and I knew after 30 years of trying to “use like normal people” I was defeated. I knew I couldn’t do it myself and that I needed more than 28 days in a rehab, or even 3 months in a partial hospital program (PHP). Early recovery is hard, I began to lose hope. Three other programs denied me and I was about to give up and go back to where I came from. However, God has a plan for me. I got the call that Thistle Hills accepted me, just after Thanksgiving. I had something more to be grateful for.    

While here, at Thistle Hills, we are obligated to do 90 meetings in 90 days. I chose AA. We are to maintain 4 meetings a week after that. During the process I have completed the 12 Steps of the AA program. The program changes the way we think and how we view life. It shows us the part we play in life and helps us to see the character defects that hinder us. Also, by being aware of these and having contact with God, we are able to grow and move past them with His help, to become a better person. After learning this new way of life, I have hope that I will be substance free for the rest of mine. As long as I continue to practice the principles of the AA program and keep in contact with my Higher Power, God, I have a better chance of long term recovery. I had been told by a former therapist to not do a 4th step (Make a fearless and searching moral inventory of ourselves) unless I’m in therapy. The process was difficult, but doable, with the help of the providers that regularly come to the house. The providers here are amazing and the one-on-one therapy provided made the process so much smoother and I wasn’t fearful of taking that deep, necessary look at myself. I was able to discuss and process the traumas I had experienced and some of the mistakes that I made without reliving them. 

Thistle Hills has given me the opportunity to grow and blossom into the woman God had in mind when he created me. This program has changed my life. I have been able to begin the repair of my relationships with my children and my family as a result of this program. Around 6 months of living here, they help us to write resumes and require us to become gainfully employed. I was able to do that and have begun to save money. In the past, I wasn’t able to maintain employment for longer than 3 months and now I have a job I enjoy. 

With the help of the Thistle Hills program I can walk with my head up, I have the confidence, the self love and the self respect that has returned, that I had lost many years ago in active addiction. I am becoming the kind of woman that I am proud to be and have begun to live the kind of life that is more fulfilled than I ever thought it could be.

Thank You Thistle Hills!  

The program at Thistle Hills means so many things to me. From where I came from just earlier this year, there has been a 180-degree positive difference. Just earlier this year, I was homeless, living on the streets of Philadelphia. It would be an understatement to say it was not a safe environment. Thistle Hills provides me with a safe environment, where I can heal, physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. I feel I am regaining my life back, a life that holds many possibilities. I have been able to take care of my medical issues, my spiritual life has deepened and emotionally I am given the opportunity to heal from the traumas I have endured.

My day here starts with a structure I am very glad I have. I start my day with meditation, I complete chores, speak with my sponsor, attend meetings, medical appointments, therapy sessions, volunteer and have an opportunity to work on my art, which in itself is healing. ( it's also my background). The ability to sleep in a bed in a safe environment ( not always something I had 5 months ago), and share this space with other women in recovery. I am benefiting from the various opportunities to strengthen and grow areas of my life that Thistle Hills has afforded me. 

 I am strengthened by the discipline I am achieving through the program. It is building in me a feeling of purposefulness, meaningfulness, hope, sobriety,  and healing from traumatic events. The work is not always easy, however it is necessary for me in order to achieve a feeling of a life worthy of living. My spiritual connection has returned, and I thank God for saving my life. I do not say that lightly. I was in a place of desperation, and my prayers were that of "fox hole' prayers. It has emerged into a deeper connection with God. I often refer to Psalm 17:8 , "Keep me as the apple of your eye and hide me in the shadow of your wing".

   When I was at my lowest, 5 months ago, I was barely surviving and had many sleepless nights wishing not to wake up. Now I am thriving with all the help and opportunities Thistle Hills has afforded me. I thank God and all the supporters for saving my life. I am living a life that is filled with self-worth.