Recovery Stories

Ashley's Story & Testimonial

Anyone who meets Ashley sees a vibrant, talented, and impressive young woman with a massive smile and a deep relationship with Christ. Ashley’s journey has not been without its struggles. She is a survivor of neglect and abuse as a child and was adopted at the age of 5. As a young adult, Ashley struggled with suicidal ideation, which she attributes to her PTSD.

Before finding Magdalene House, Ashley had a plan to end her life but knew deep down there was another way. Since then, Ashley has grown in self-love and begun the process of healing from her past. She is now on the worship team at her church and is employed. Ashley has also found her place at Maggie Bags, where she contributes to customer service, sewing handbags, and photography!

“Magdalene House has taught me that I must trust myself to take the steps needed for healing. If I can believe in my ability to change and grow, then I can trust others to walk alongside me in this journey.”

– Ashley

Shasta: From Trauma to Triumph

Shasta is a current resident at Magdalene House, and her story is one of survival, healing, and restored faith.

Six years ago, Shasta experienced a traumatic assault that changed the course of her life. The pain and fear sent her into a deep spiral. Trying to numb the hurt led to meth addiction, unsafe relationships, and eventually arrests.

In March 2023, after a terrifying wake-up call, she called her dad and begged to come home—afraid the next phone call might be to identify her body. She returned home and stayed clean for over a year. During that time, she began an addiction journal.

What started as a distraction became a lifeline. She educated herself on triggers, relapse, and recovery—and began learning how to fight for herself.

After setbacks and six months in jail, Shasta entered RSAP (Residential Substance Abuse Program) in Morgan County Jail in May 2025. It was there she began opening up about her trauma and turning back to God. One night, she prayed and asked Him to take away the shame, guilt, and pain. The next morning, she felt lighter.

Toward the end of RSAP, another woman shared about Magdalene House—the sisterhood, structure, and faith-based community. Encouraged by what she heard, Shasta applied, was accepted, and on October 2nd walked straight from jail to Magdalene House.

Today, she works at Hardee’s and the American Legion, attends church on Sundays, and visits with her kids—who continue to support and encourage her. Their faith in her means everything. She carries Philippians 4:13 on her keys: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

She also keeps a small pocket hug from AA as a reminder she is never alone. “Before, I did not have God in my life—and that’s why it was chaos. Now I have Him. I know I have someone on my side who is always going to be there.”

Her encouragement: “Even when it’s hard and you feel alone, once you open yourself up to God and hand things over, the weight is not as heavy as it was without Him.”

Shasta is building a new foundation rooted in faith, family, and community—and she plans to carry it with her long after she leaves.

Lacey: Redeemed & Restored

Lacey begins her story with Isaiah 43:1–2: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

She grew up in a loving home marked by addiction. When her mom went to prison during Lacey’s teenage years, she began using meth. She didn’t know how to process trauma, and chaos felt normal — if life wasn’t chaotic, she didn’t feel seen. When her dad passed away, her addiction deepened into heroin use. Years followed filled with overdoses, abusive relationships, homelessness, and eventually losing her children. She shares that none of the overdoses were a wake-up call.

“The only thing that saved my life was going to jail.”

After three months in jail and 28 days at ARC, she chose Magdalene House — a place she had known about in her hometown. “Besides saving my life, Magdalene House has taught me how to process and deal with my traumas.” For the first time, she learned that forgiveness doesn’t mean what happened was okay — it means handing it to God and letting Him carry it.

She has since been baptized. Her faith has deepened, and she now feels called toward seminary school and faith-based peer counseling for the future. She holds close Philippians 1:23 and says, “If even one person is in Heaven because God used my story, then I’m walking in my calling.” There was a time she didn’t think she deserved a good life. Today, she is choosing to break the generational cycle and build something different for her family.

Her message to her old self: “It doesn’t have to be this way. Trust and rely on God sooner.”

Her message to others: “Be grateful for everything — the hard moments and the good ones. Jesus is so merciful. I feel His mercy — otherwise I wouldn’t be breathing.”

Lacey is no longer living in chaos. She’s walking in redemption — and building a new legacy.

Wesley : A Story of Perseverance

Wesley is a current resident at Foundations House, and his story is one of survival, faith, and learning to keep going—no matter how hard the road gets. For nearly 20 years, Wesley battled alcoholism. At his lowest, he slept with a fifth just to get through the night, experiencing pain and cramps without alcohol. Even while holding a good job, his life was unstable—living out of suitcases and hotel rooms.

After multiple DUIs, Wesley got sober on his own and remained sober for over two years. But in May 2023, a traumatic accident changed everything. Overwhelmed by what he witnessed, Wesley returned to drinking—losing his job, his stability, and eventually living in a tent in Greenfield. Eventually, Wesley knew he couldn’t continue this way. Believing God had saved him for a reason, he asked for help. That decision led him through detox, treatment, and ultimately to Foundations House—a faith-based community where his life began to change.

When Wesley first arrived, doubt crept in. But instead of giving up, he chose to stay, listen, ask questions, and trust the process. Through structure, accountability, faith, and community, Wesley has found purpose and belonging again.

On his closet door, Wesley keeps his daily reminder:

“Always pray & never give up.”
This is his encouragement to anyone who is struggling.

And today, Wesley’s life looks different—restored relationships, renewed faith, and hope for what’s ahead.

Josh Coburn: Hope for the Hopeless

Josh is a current resident at Foundations House, and his testimony is one of true surrender and lasting change. Josh’s addiction began at 16 years old. What started with crack cocaine in high school became a 29-year battle. For the last 15 of those years, heroin controlled his life, with alcohol taking hold even earlier. He had support. He had people who believed in him. But low self-esteem, anger, resentment, and a destructive mindset kept him stuck. He admits he went against those who tried to help him and gave people many reasons not to trust him.

On May 29, 2024, Josh went to jail on an OWI and received a 15-month sentence. While incarcerated, he learned his mother was terminally ill with dementia. His father had passed away in 2020 while Josh was also in jail. Grief and regret overwhelmed him. Broken and out of options, Josh prayed and asked God to reveal Himself fully. Through RSAP (Residential Substance Abuse Program) and deciding to fully focus on recovery instead of work release, something began to shift. Slowly, his heart started to change.

Josh came directly to Foundations House from Morgan County Jail on July 11th, 2025. Today, he is 18 months sober—the longest he has been sober since he was 16 years old. He now attends church, helps with AA meetings at the Morgan County Jail, accepts accountability, and is committed to staying the full two years at Foundations House. He says without Jesus, none of this would be possible.

Two verses anchor his life today:

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9
“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’” — 1 Corinthians 15:33

His encouragement to anyone struggling:

“I have lived in the dark most of my life with a debilitating drug addiction that caused insurmountable pain in my life and others’ lives. Now I’m clearing a path to provide hope for the hopeless and a hand to help you out of the pit of addiction.”

Finally, Josh shared, “I am so thankful for the RSAP program, specifically Gus Matthias and Samatha Barber, for helping me along the way. I also want to thank Nick and Chris at Foundations House for all their help. None of this would be possible without all the support they provided.”

Amber

Chris

Tammy

Chris

Kyla's Testimony

“Stability First has saved my life, given my children their mother back and gave me hope when I didn’t think there was any left.”

Melissa's Testimony

“The Magdalene House has been an amazing place for me to heal. I have had so much love support and encouragement. Every day is getting easier and I have hope for my future.”

Tina's Testimony

“Stability First Magdalene House saved my life .Never could I have believed a peace like this existed, THEY ROCK!! This truly is the “House of Miracles” and I see them everyday!! “