Annette first reached out to the Mission in 2023. Having lived on the streets, Annette was finally at a place where she would feel safe and obtain the support needed to overcome years of trauma and addiction.
“I prayed to God to please guide me where I need to be,” Annette said. “The next day, I was led to Shepherd’s Door.” – Annette
Before reaching out to the Mission, Annette was in and out of her addiction, living on the streets in survival mode day to day, constantly looking over her shoulder. As a woman, she was among the most vulnerable of the population who were easy prey and often victims of extreme violence. Annette lived on the edge, constantly doing double-takes to ensure her safety – she never felt safe.
“I didn’t like who I was, my life was out of control, and I had no purpose,” expressed Annette.
Annette entered the New Life Program, our one-year program that offers holistic care to help people overcome addiction and negative life patterns. Within the first month of the program, Annette prayed to God, “I give my will over to you.” From that point on, her false belief of being unworthy and unfit slowly began to diminish. Over the next year, Annette prospered into a woman who fundamentally knew she was worthy of loving and being loved.
As Annette’s time at Shepherd’s Door progressed, she began to cultivate vocational skills and participate in our job readiness opportunities. These programs are designed to help people obtain practical on-the-job experience, career planning, and job search skills while ultimately becoming more independent upon graduating from our program.
The only hiccup? Annette did not have a birth certificate. Something that had plagued her life. Over the years, she floated from one low-income job to another taking odd-end jobs that would pay the rent. Annette could never obtain secure employment without proper identification.
“Before receiving support from Shepherd’s Door, I was a lost soul with no direction in my life,” Annette explained. “Without a birth certificate, I never felt like I had an identity. I didn’t feel like I was a real person.”
Since birth, Annette had never been able to show proof of her birth certificate, which meant that she could not plan a career that lasted longer than one year. After a year of employment, she was inevitably laid off without being able to produce true identification. The saga that she endured over her adult life led to the trauma and addiction issues she faced.
The Advocacy Team at Shepherd’s Door immediately knew that it would take a deep and time-consuming process to obtain proof of Annette’s birth. And that process was worth it! After two and a half years of championing Annette through the process, we are pleased to share that earlier this year, she obtained her birth certificate!
“By working through the process of obtaining a birth certificate, I feel like a lot of doors are opening for me,” Annette explained. “And my confidence has increased drastically.”
And today? Annette is living in a stable community, where she is active in supporting others and walking alongside those who’ve had similar experiences. “I’m excited to start a new journey into living the life God has planned for me!” exclaimed Annette.
And, we are excited to walk alongside Annette as she embarks on this new journey!
As an Advocacy Specialist at Shepherd’s Door, my goal is to support guests at the Mission who are rebuilding their lives after suffering from trauma, homelessness, or addiction. When we first found out about Annette not having a birth certificate two years ago, everyone at the Mission was heartbroken. We could not imagine how much of a daily struggle it must have been for her to survive and make a decent living.
When we first began to support Annette through the process of obtaining her identification, our immediate desire was to serve as a knowledgeable guide and steady support to ensure she was informed and empowered throughout the legal process. In the end, it was immensely gratifying to see Annette beaming the day the judge told her that she would receive a birth certificate.
Every day, the Advocacy Specialists at Portland Rescue Mission work alongside legal aids or legal counsel to help our guests maneuver complex legal systems to secure essential rights and services. Through consistent advocacy, our team works to ensure that men and women address their current legal challenges with as much care as possible. It took many advocates and support specialists to walk Annette through this journey. Annette is just one of many whom we feel honored to help build a foundation for a healthier and more stable future.
– Taylor
Advocacy Specialist
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