Fresh Hope Mothers

What some of our graduated mothers have said about their stay at Fresh Hope:

Please note: photographs and stories do not correspond.

Mother's Story
Before coming to ‘Fresh Hope’ I had hit rock bottom. I was just about to hit the streets of the Sunshine Coast again!! I was 7 months pregnant. My two older children were living with their father and I had forgotten how to live a substance free, fulfilling life. With this being my situation I thought my only option was to put my unborn child up for adoption.

I have been at ‘Fresh Hope’ just over 11 months. I am currently in the last stages of the program. My older two children have been living with me for the last 6 months and now I have legal residency of them. I also have my little man of 10months who I was pregnant with on arrival at ‘Fresh Hope’ What a blessing he is to my life.

While at ‘Fresh Hope’ I have learnt so many necessary life skills. I am currently paying off my debts, a lot of which have been hanging over my head for the past 10 years. I have re-connected with my family, learnt to deal with so many things and to have perseverance and courage to face and jump hurdles. I have a job and am aiming to get my car licence next.

Karen and John have shown us all what a family unit is all about.Now I aim to build on what I have learnt. I am looking forward to getting my own home with my children and keeping goals in my life. Goals keep you focused on what you want to achieve and striving toward them is very satisfying.

I have just found out my graduation date which I think is very special because it is on my son’s first birthday. I couldn’t think of a better time, as if it wasn’t for ‘Fresh Hope’ he wouldn’t have been able to share this day with me.

Mother's Story
After a number of rehabs, bankruptcy and a possible jail term pending, I was ready to die. With my car connected up to the hose I sat inside with the engine running, my body shuddering with the grief and pain of a life lost, mine. In some other distant world, I could faintly hear the sound of a telephone ringing. I don’t know why I did it, but I cut the engine and went to answer the phone, it was Karen. That was just before I came to Fresh Hope, and today I have been given hope...Fresh Hope that I could never have had lying in a coffin or a jail cell.

Where I once was failing my studies, I have now successfully re-taken up my subjects externally. When I once couldn’t hold down a job, I now have a part time position. I am in my 20’s and my life has dramatically changed for the better. The most important thing is that I’m clean.

I’m slowly picking up the pieces of my self-respect and re-building relationships with my child and family. Although I’ve failed miserably in a number of previous rehabs, I’ve finally come to the revelation it’s not the rehab that didn’t work, it’s that I didn’t work the rehab.