When Holly arrived at Adult and Teen Challenge Ohio Valley’s Esther House Women’s Facility in October 2020, she was recovering from two skull fractures — one on each side of her head — suffered in two separate falls.
“I drank morning, noon and night,” she said.
Her doctor told her she wouldn’t survive another skull injury. She knew she had to stop drinking. She needed help.
Holly’s son found Esther House and she agreed to check in. She knew if she didn’t, it would further damage her relationship with her son. She signed up for the year program.
“At first, I didn’t think I belonged here,” Holly explained. At 58, she’s one of the oldest residents. “But I found out I do belong here and it’s been fabulous,” she said.
Growing up, she attended church with her family, but she got away from it as she got older. “I didn’t think I would find Jesus again—I didn’t know if I wanted to. But as soon as I got into the work and started going to church, I am so into it now. It’s been a blessing to me.” She believes God is the only reason she’s still alive.
When she graduates this fall, she plans to go live with her son and his family near Cleveland for a while. She’ll find a job and then decide if she wants to stay near Cleveland or return to the Youngstown area.
She’s expecting her first grandchild, a boy, in August and is grateful that she’ll be a sober grandma. “I want to get back into my family and that’s what I’m here to do,” she said. “I want to be made whole again because I wasn’t.” Holly and her son talk often and he comes to visit every family day. “He tells me I look pretty now,” Holly said.
She attributes getting sober and all of the positive change in her life to a relationship with Jesus. She found that at Esther House. Holly learned how to read the Bible. She studied. She went all in for her classes and focused during chapel. She loves to learn about the Bible. It’s the only book she wants to read. “I did it and I got it and I understand it,” she said. “I’m a nice person again. I feel I am a better than I was before. And she talks to Jesus all the time. “It’s knowing there’s someone there inside you that’s got your back. He gives you the strength to go through it. Who wouldn’t love that? There’s someone there who died for us all.”
