Hailey's Was Grateful After All
By Jeana Pillion Walter

After all Hailey had been through, she was grateful to have a good place to sleep, hot food to eat and clothing to wear. "I was grateful to have been sent to the Methodist Home." She lived with her mother most of her life. Her mother and father abandoned her at someone's house at age 15. Hurt and depressed, Hailey felt no one loved her.

Months later her mother gave a simple explanation for abandonment... "your father wants me all to himself." Hailey struggled emotionally with feelings that she did not understand—grief and guilt that turned into anger towards others.

Growing up Hailey had to be responsible. "I took care of my mom before myself." She remembers helping her mom get ready for bed and putting her to sleep. She remembers learning to cook. Someone taught her how to do laundry when they stayed at a shelter. She remembers they never had enough money for food or a place to live. They lived in different apartments, hotels and shelters, typically less than six months. Hailey usually carried a bag with all her possessions from place to place.

Hailey lived in a situation of chaos, where she had to make adult decisions. She suffered from depression and feelings of hopelessness. "The Methodist Home helped me with my depression and now I have hopes and dreams for better things," she said.

"Since being at The Home, I have become closer to God than ever before. I hear Him calling me to talk to teens about Him. I want to go to a Christian College and become a Youth Minister."

Hailey graduated the Methodist Home's program and received her GED this year. She plans to work and save money to get a car and a place to live on her own. We are proud of Hailey's work to overcome her past and make a brighter future.