My name is Kelly, and I’m a mother of two living in what most people would call a “perfect” suburban neighborhood. We have a beautiful house, amazing children, and wonderful friends. On the outside, my life looked just like any other mom’s in the area—sports activities, school meetings, and family dinners. But deep inside, I was struggling.
Throughout my life, there were signs I had an issue with alcohol, but the real turning point came when the pandemic hit.
Like many of us, I was suddenly at home with the kids more than ever. The world felt like it was spiraling out of control, and I found myself turning to the bottle to numb my anxiety. Before I knew it, I was drinking all day and night, often passing out, and constantly feeling I could not function without alcohol. At first, it soothed the overwhelming stress of trying to keep everything together—until it caused everything to fall apart.
Eventually, my family became so concerned that they staged an intervention. With tears in their eyes, they told me they loved me, but they couldn’t keep watching me destroy myself. I agreed to go to treatment.
That’s where I met a counselor who told me about job opportunities at Her 2nd Chance. I was nervous and didn’t know what to expect, but I knew I needed something more. I needed a second chance—not just to stay sober, but to truly live again.
I applied for a position and got the job. I learned how to create design transfers for our products, onboard new employees, and provide customer service. The structure and support were exactly what I needed.
I was still broken and emotional at first, but over time, I started to believe in myself again. I made friends at work who had been through similar struggles, and they became my support system. We celebrated our victories and stood by each other during the hard times.
When it was time for me to move on to community employment, Her 2nd Chance was there for me every step of the way. They helped me with resume building, interview preparation, and my job search. But, most importantly, they believed in me.
Today, I am 4 years sober and have a new job as a human resources assistant. I have a healthy relationship with my family and have rebuilt the trust that I lost. But more than anything, I am deeply grateful for my second chance.
I’m living proof that second chances are possible. If you’re reading this, and my story resonates with you, or maybe you have a family member who is struggling, I’m here to tell you there is hope. All it takes is a step forward.