Voices of Hope – Indeah E.

“I’m from Jacksonville, grew up on the Eastside, and had a wonderful life. I was raised right, but went down the wrong path. I was introduced to alcohol at 8 and started using drugs at 11. After being gang raped at 12 years old, I ran away from home, got sex trafficked, and was doing and selling drugs. I was in and out of jail and eventually just got tired of it all. I wanted to change. After a life-altering car accident in January 2021 that threw me from the car and broke 11 bones in my body, I knew it was time to turn my life around.

“The staff at Operation New Hope has been great and has showed a lot of love. My mental health counselor is so supportive and calls me every week to check on me. The career development instructors taught me a lot of things I didn’t know before. The job coaches helped me build up my resume, and it’s way better than I ever could have done on my own. My case worker helped me get into school and connected me with the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, where I’m now serving as a Block Leader.

“I’m no longer a product of what happened to me. I went to Gateway for 17 months for duel diagnosis of mental and substance abuse and alcoholism. I’m proud to report that I’ve been sober for almost 2 years. I am from out East, but I grew up at Gateway. I have a beautiful relationship with God and my family now. I’m more calm and peaceful and have faith in myself again. My husband and I oversee our church outreach committee and share clothes and hygiene products with the community. I speak at River Region and serve as the co-chair on the Peer Advisory Committee at Gateway. I’m also leading AA meetings and serving as a sponsor. I used to go to jail 2-3 times a year, but now I’m going to jail to volunteer and motivate people. I am giving back what was freely given to me and serving as a leader in all the spaces where I used to be in bondage.

“I am happy, walking with my head held high. I am a product of healing, deliverance, and hope!”