What began as a reluctant five-week commitment to Portland Rescue Mission’s Discovery Program blossomed into a year of healing and transformation for Jovanna through our New Life Program.
Jovanna’s story is a powerful reflection of the “Recover” pillar in the PRM Transformation Model. Her journey isn’t just about overcoming addiction, it’s about restoration through Christ. With the support of a structured program, a loving community, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Jovanna has rebuilt her identity as a beloved daughter of God.
Recovery became a process of healing past wounds, renewing her mind, and breaking generational strongholds through faith, grace, and the transforming love of Jesus.
As part of her recovery, Jovanna trained for and completed a half-marathon, a powerful symbol of perseverance. Each training mile mirrored the steps of healing: slow, intentional, and meaningful. Even when faced with a knee injury, she pressed on, later reflecting, “The reward at the end was greater than the pain.”
Today, Jovanna approaches life differently. “Using drugs used to be my first thought every day,” she said. Now, those triggers no longer define her. Instead, she sees each day as a new opportunity to live with purpose.
“What I went through was hard, but the reward at the end was great.” – Jovanna
Jovanna has discovered both the power of support and the harm of being overlooked. Now, she is giving back in meaningful ways. As a Certified Recovery Mentor, she walks alongside others in addiction—especially youth and minorities—helping them find hope in their own journeys.
Through mentorship, church service, and sharing her story, Jovanna is proving a powerful truth: healed people can help heal people.
Jovanna’s story is more than one of recovery. It’s a testimony of redemption—a reminder that with love, structure, faith, and community, lives can be restored and futures rewritten.
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