Becky's Story
By Hailey Anderton

19 years old. That's when Becky told me she started “tricking for dope,” or prostituting herself to feed her addiction to crack cocaine.  She was three years younger than I am now.  Now sitting on the couch in front of me at 34 years old, Becky recounts the details of her past, her demeanor unapologetic and unashamed. 

Becky grew up in Gainesville.  She never knew her father, and she felt neglected by her mother throughout her childhood.  As a child, Becky told me she was molested by a close family member, joining the staggering 85% of women involved in prostitution report a history of sexual abuse in childhood.  

Becky has been in and out of the jail system since she was 12 years old, and by 16, she was addicted to powder cocaine.  She described herself as promiscuous in her teenage years.  “My relationships were based on how much attention the person gave me, because I had no male attention whatsoever growing up," she said.

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Kay's Story

Kay* lived many years working as an exotic dancer, addicted to drugs, and trying just to make it. Today, she is involved in Created Care and is passionately seeking God's grace and shining face, discovering a new life for herself, filled with love, compassion, and serving others!  
 
Through Created's housing sponsorship, Kay and her 4 year old daughter are living in a transitional home for women, where she is surrounded by a supportive community.  She also has the opportunity to attend support groups, get more involved with her church, and participate in the various aspects of Created Care to draw closer to the Lord and gain new skills and restorative care.  

"The Created ministry has given me the opportunity to renew my faith in humanity by providing a dedicated community of awesome women who love Christ as much as I do!  I look forward to growing God's kingdom by ministering to women like me and help break the chains of addiction and abuse in their families."

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Shirley's Story

​"Someone cared whether I lived or died. Someone cared enough to let me know that I mattered."




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"As I sit here and reflect back on my broken past, there is one moment in time that I remember that changed my life forever....

I was strung out on crack cocaine, I was homeless, a prostitute, 8 months pregnant and lying in a hospital bed after having been beaten into labor. That was the lowest point in my life.  I wanted to die.  I had burned all my bridges and my family had written me off. But worst of all I was alone! There was no one I could call on to help me.  

Then one day as I lay recovering in the hospital bed after the trauma of having my labor reversed, my nurse asked me if I would mind if a friend of hers from this organization called Created would come and pray with me.  That is the day I will never forget, that is the day I met Created.  I remember the look in their eyes.  It wasn't judgement.  It wasn't disgust.  It wasn't blame.  It was LOVE!  And for the first time in a long time I knew at that moment that someone cared.  Someone cared whether I lived or died.  Someone cared enough to let me know that I mattered.

That day has been over 6 months ago and Created is still a part of my life.  I am currently in a rehabilitation program.  I am due to graduate within a month.  What amazes me most is that Created is still a part of my life.  Not only have they been there for me spiritually, they have become my sisters.  The women of Created helped give me back my self worth just because they loved me.  Today as a result of their love, support, and spiritual guidance, I am clean and sober.  I have a job and a 4 month old healthy beautiful little girl, and am transitioning into my very own apartment.  If it wasn't for the women of Created, I wouldn't have had the self-esteem it took to finish this program.  I am so thankful for Created walking into my life that day when I was in the hospital.  Thank you for helping me change my life forever!!!"