Feedback from our residents
“I’d like to start by saying thank you for giving me such an amazing opportunity to piece my life back together and become whole again … to make my life once again livable, comfortable and sustainable. The sisters here have cared for me when I could barely care for myself. Esther Residence has provided me with a safe, warm and fun place to be able to focus on getting myself together as a healthy person and more importantly being a good mother again.”
– Resident
“”I am a 39 year old woman suffering from addiction and substance abuse. I arrived at Esther Residence a few weeks ago and as soon as I stepped through the door I was not only made to feel at home, but also felt love and support. I have been battling this disease for almost 2 years with a few months being in another sober house in the community, but I never found so much support as I received from the staff at Esther Residence. I have been given back hope, purpose and faith. Hope that one day I will be able to beat this addiction. Purpose that with guidance I can find a purpose in life other than the title of “addict”. That I can fulfill my purpose as a daughter, mother and grandmother. Faith that I will conquer this addiction and it will not destroy me. If it wasn’t for this program I’m afraid that I might have died out there. Thank you for saving my life.”
-Resident
“I am 27 years old. I’m currently staying at the Esther Residence. I have been here for about 6 months. Let me tell you a little about my story. I have been in and out of jail and prison since the age of 19. I have a serious addiction to drugs that I was never able to get a hold of. I got out of prison onto home confinement in March 2010, after being in 3 years. Getting out and back into the real world was a little scary. I overcame that fear by doing the right thing and coming to the Esther Residence instead of doing my prison sentence, and getting out and going back to my old ways. I truly believe in my heart the only reason I have made it this far, is because I came to stay at the Esther Residence. I thank God and the sisters for allowing me into their home. Since being here, I have learned a great amount. I had a hard time communicating correctly, but the sisters have taught me new skills. I knew how to bake before I came here, but never cooked. I can now cook and serve a full course meal. I have learned and now know how to hem, and put buttons on by hand. I never worked a real job, or paid my own bills. The sisters have taught me independence, so that I am able to do both. I am now working a 40 hour job; I’m tired but feel great because I’m accomplished now. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity of being in this house. Whenever I have something I want to talk to, no matter if the sisters are busy or not, they take the time out of their busy schedule to sit and talk. I am a completely different woman than I was a few years ago. I am the young woman that I was before drugs ever became a part of my life. The three sisters that live at the Esther Residence with us are amazing, understanding, loving, and caring. I don’t think I can put into words how much I appreciate them and this house.”
– Resident
“This place is a HUGE reason why I’ve been able to stay clean and have learned the skills I needed while having freedom to not use. They showed me that people do care about me and want me to do good things!”
– Resident
“The nuns were there to help me through it all and talk about what was going on. I felt right at home – like what I said made a difference and they listened to what I had to say.”
– Resident
“They keep us accountable and give us freedom, but not too much. We earn time out rather than total freedom right off the bat. We make goals – short and long. These nuns have given the past 10 years to this house. They live there 24-7 and act as our new found family. We laugh and do things together as sober women. They help as many women as they can learn how to live clean and sober after incarceration or rehab. A lot of women get released from jail and go back to the same situation they were in when they went to jail or prison, so this is giving them a new way of life.”
– Resident