Spring is a season of renewal, and for two courageous mothers, Emily and Theresa, it also marks a powerful new beginning.
Both women came to Shepherd’s Door, Portland Rescue Mission’s New Life Recovery Program for women and women with children, seeking more than sobriety. They longed for healing—for themselves and their children. This Mother’s Day, we honor the strength of moms like Emily and Theresa, whose brave steps toward hope have created ripple effects across generations.
As a single mom burdened by trauma and addiction, Emily knew she couldn’t keep going the way she was—for herself or her four-year-old son, Rayden.
“I came because I was broken. My life felt hopeless,” Emily shares. “The second I walked into Shepherd’s Door, I no longer had to fight.”
At Shepherd’s Door, Emily found trauma-informed care, biblical guidance, and parenting support. Raiden, too, was embraced at PRM’s Children’s Center, where staff supported his emotional needs and helped him flourish.
“They didn’t make Rayden seem like a burden. They just loved him unconditionally.”
Emily is now a proud graduate of the program and is working toward her GED. Rayden is thriving—and so is their relationship.
“This place gave both of us a second chance.”
Theresa had been battling substance abuse since she was 26. For years, drugs became her escape from loneliness and pain, creating deep rifts in her relationship with her children. Even when she was physically present, her addiction kept her distant. As time passed, the separation grew, and with it, the ache of lost moments as a mother.
When secular recovery programs didn’t help, Theresa knew she needed something more. She returned to her faith and found Shepherd’s Door, where she discovered structure, stability, and a renewed relationship with God.
“I came seeking God, knowing my addiction was just part of the story.”
The care she received at Shepherd’s Door helped her rebuild trust with her children and heal past wounds. However, one of the greatest gifts of her recovery was her restored role as a grandmother.
“It takes a lot of courage to be brave—and Shepherd’s Door taught me I didn’t have to be brave alone.”
Theresa mentors other women walking similar paths, offering the same compassion and encouragement that once lifted her. She cherishes every hug from her grandchildren, knowing that each moment with them is a gift she fought hard to reclaim.
“I just want to keep thriving so I can be the best grandmother!”
On this Mother’s Day, we invite you to remember the strength of moms like Emily and Theresa—women whose courage to heal is changing generations. If their stories moved you, consider partnering with PRM monthly and become part of the life-transforming work happening every day at the Mission!