Danniele’s Story

Physically abused throughout her toddler years and then sexually abused as a teenager, Danniele’s early life was beyond traumatic. She discovered drugs at a young age and embraced the numbing effect they could have on her mental torment.

In order to feed her addiction, which in time became full-blown, she learned to forge cheques and scam banks. Discovering that she was pregnant was enough motivation to stay clean for the duration of the pregnancy, but soon after giving birth, she began to use again. At the age of 4 years old, her daughter was removed from her home, and Danniele spiraled.Years of homelessness and addiction followed, filled with loneliness, alcohol, and methamphetamines. Danniele is unsure of how many times she overdosed during that time, but there were many.

She gathered the courage multiple times to enter into a detox program (24 times to be exact), but without the opportunity to follow it with a recovery program, there was little hope for Danniele to ever stay clean.After hitting rock bottom, she cried out to God for help and finally began her journey of recovery at Ruth & Naomi’s. “I was welcomed home for the first time in my life and I’ve been given the greatest support system and new friends that I only dreamed about. Honestly, it’s the little things that I’m most grateful for… like making my bed in a place that is my ‘safe place’. I spend time in prayer and learning so many things and tools on how to heal and live my true God-given life… I’m actually beginning to love the person I see looking back at me in the mirror.That’s never been a thing for me!”.

Danniele is moving ahead in her recovery. 6 months into the program, she finally sees a future for herself as she rebuilds her relationship with her daughter. Her hope is to begin the Support Worker program at a local college after she graduates from the recovery program. “I figure I have something to offer from my years in addiction and all of the things that I am now learning!”.