Voices of Hope – Samantha M.

“I spent years struggling with addiction and instability and dragged my son through all the muck and mud of my life. My last time being arrested was in October 2021, and I was released on June 29, 2022. I was given a second chance by Angels of Mercy when they offered me housing in their transition home. I was shocked when they told me about Operation New Hope’s Ready4Work program that was opening in Orlando, and remember saying, ‘You’re telling me there’s a place that does all that? Sign me up!’

“The entire team at Operation New Hope is absolutely amazing! They genuinely care, and you can tell it’s not just a paycheck for them. The Ready4Work program has so much to offer. The Career Development instructor taught me so many valuable lessons, and I can’t say enough good things about my Mental Health Counselor. I am so lucky to have counseling once a week. I have so many people in my corner now and have been so supported by the everyone.

“Going through the Ready4Work program helped me know that just because I have a record, I don’t have to stunt my life and struggle forever. I never thought this kind of life was possible, and believed I would always be stuck in a state of worry and constant fear. Before, I was stuck in a dark abyss, but Operation New Hope shined a light on all the possibilities. I now have a great job and clear vision for stability. I am 2 years sober and working on rebuilding my relationship with my 14 year old son. Even though I failed him because of choosing drugs, he recently told me how proud he is of me for what I’m beginning to achieve.