Success Stories
Hannah - 2008 Graduate
I had what looked like the “perfect” childhood; however, my parents got a divorce. When I got into elementary school, I was bullied, and as the years went by, I remained an outcast. Then, in the eighth grade things changed. I started getting attention from boys, and it gave me a rush of self-esteem that I had never felt before. I would do just about anything to get them to notice me. Later, a guy I was dating began abusing me physically and sexually, and I felt extremely ashamed. I constantly had bruises on my arms and legs. I thought about suicide and cried almost every night.
I also began starving myself. Some weeks, I would only have one or two meals. Then I began cutting to cope with the intense pain I didn’t understand or know how to deal with. I had to cover the bruises on my body given to me by my boyfriend as well as the self-harm I myself inflicted on my arms. I felt like I was worthless. While on vacation with my family, I was attacked again when two strangers sexually assaulted me. I began drinking on weekends to forget and numb my pain. I also began experimenting with drugs. I had depression and severe anxiety. I remembered that I heard about Mercy at a church conference, and I decided to look them up online.
When I arrived at Mercy, I was a wreck. I didn’t think it was possible for God to transform me like He did others. So many counselors, teachers and friends had given up on me in the past. I thought I was a hopeless cause. During my time at Mercy, God completely turned my life around. The program helped change the way I looked at life and the way I felt about myself. I woke up every morning excited about what God was going to do, and when I thought about my future I felt hope.
Since graduating from Mercy, my life is brand new! Every time I share my story now, I feel like I am talking about a different person. I have a new outlook on life and freedom. I am also now married to an amazing man, have lots of friends and a beautiful home. I am passionate about helping young girls find and fight for the same freedom and healing I found in my own life through God’s unconditional love and acceptance. Shortly after getting married, God led me to start a Christian magazine for young girls called UnleashedBeauty. It teaches them about beauty and fashion, but most importantly, how God can unleash their inner beauty. I want to help them see themselves through God's eyes as beautiful and valuable.