Embracing Grace

Chrystin struggled with alcoholism for sixteen years before entering UGM’s recovery program. “I felt so defeated and was lying in bed, drinking, just waiting to die, when my friends came over and pulled me out of my apartment… I went to UGM and let go of everything.” She had been fatally drinking for months, and her friends went to her apartment to ensure she would make it to UGM for her intake date. They were afraid that otherwise she wouldn’t make it. “I was falling apart at the seams. I told myself, ‘You’ve got nothing to lose. Get some sobriety under your belt and move along.’ Little did I know that I would fall in love with the Lord. I’m not sure how anyone can function without Him.” She began walking with the Lord as she worked hard on her sobriety journey.

Chrystin had been to treatment twelve times, but UGM Life Recovery was different. “The environment, the staff, volunteers, and ultimately God… I have never been treated so kindly. They hold your heart in their hands and they’re supportive.” UGM Life Recovery offers trauma-informed counseling, life skills classes, and group therapy, while also helping residents build a sustainable life on the outside, all through personalized and holistic care.

When someone completes their program and is moving on from UGM, they are connected with a mentor, transition team, and volunteer staff, and regularly check in. “Staying connected has been important, and in all the other treatment programs, I would not stay connected and get on with my life, and it sneaks up on me. Having a solid group of women I can lean on has made all the difference in the world.”

Chrystin relapsed twice during her time at UGM. “But I received unconditional love and no judgment. There was hope. Someone can fall on their face and get back up.” She says there was a lot of open and honest communication with staff and that it helped the level of trust she had in a vulnerable state. “It was things like,

“Let’s work through the hard together. We will walk through this alongside you.”

“Going to UGM and being transparent with the girls in the recovery program reminds me where I came from. Helping others is a big part of my recovery, and I get to share with them how to get back up, dust off, and keep going after a slip-up. Giving yourself grace when you go through hard times. Being gentle with yourself and learning how to walk through life without numbing out. And these women are a blessing to me as well. Staying connected in that way has kept me stable. Isolation is null and void now. Through UGM, you establish a big support group community.”

Since commencing Life Recovery, she is still very connected to UGM Aftercare with a close mentor and a solid team. “I’ve had some days where I get off work and go straight to UGM. I walk in the door and it’s the Father’s house.”

“I’m living how God intended. I’m walking a path He placed for me as opposed to trying to run the show. I’ve done a lot of heart healing and learning what life looks like sober. Regardless … at the end of the day, I'm leaning on the Lord. I’ve evolved into the woman Jesus created me to be. I am more social, I am gracious, and I’m not hiding anymore… It's been a long, long road, and I have nothing but good things to say about UGM.”

Chrystin explains that UGM has set her up for success and is actively supporting her in working to stay sober. She now lives independently with good, strong relationships, communication, and boundaries. On her way to work, she would regularly pass by the place where she relapsed. “Every day, I pass by the hotel where I relapsed on my way to work now,  and it’s not to go lock myself in a hotel room to drink. It's to go be a functional member of society.”

“My life is really good today. People don’t come out of things I have come out of. That’s the Lord. I’m a living miracle! A lot of us in recovery are, and we have a purpose. I have found my purpose. Glory to God, everything came together for me. God works all things for the good of those who love Him… Before, I didn't have faith, but

“UGM opened up my heart when I never expected to fall in love with Jesus, and now I can’t imagine a life without Him.”

To those in need of recovery:

“We go in broken and completely defeated. If you can find a tiny bit of hope and put one foot in front of the other and commit to this program, it will change your life. It will be hard, and that’s okay. It’s okay to be messy. Hang on to hope and keep showing up.”

For those in UGM’s Life Recovery Program:

“Put your trust in the Lord and embrace this beautiful gift of being here and getting well. This program allows you to heal and shows you parts of yourself you never knew. You are safe here. Fight. ‘The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.’(Judges 6:12)”

To the donors:

“Thank you for not judging me and for giving me an opportunity to get and stay well.”

To UGM staff:

“Thank you for holding my heart in your hands along the way."