Selections from the Women of Brigid's Hope

A New Start

by Diana Collins

I've been given a chance
to start my life
over again. I know that
my higher power has forgiven
me all my sins.
Today I am not afraid to do
what is right. It's all up to me
to stay positive and to remain
in the fight. A doubting mind may
see only dark
    when light is
    a few feet away.
But faith and angels go hand and hand
and will never direct you astray.
I'm striving so hard to do
what is best and holding onto my faith,
knowing that God will do the rest.
I'll keep on striving to learn more
about myself before I die
and what I was running from
    and to
    and why-
so I'll just stay focused
and do what I have to do today
praying only to my God to remove
the obstacles that may get
in my way. Having a new start
'cause you believe in me, thank you
my heavenly father
for setting me free.

Diana Collins entered the Brigid's Hope program on May 10 and is helping staff the front desk at New Hope Housing.

My New Beginning

by Elia Flores

Learning to live and love again meant finding a balance in all areas of my life. I thank God that I don't have to do this by myself. I believe God allows certain people to come into our lives for a purpose, as Brigid's Hope came into mine when I was discharged from New Directions (a halfway house in Houston) and came to New Hope's Housing at Hamilton Street Residence.

My room has just enough space for me. This is the first time I have lived on my own. I never thought I could live by myself. It is the perfect space for me: no one else fits in there. It is a great place to be on my own and to enjoy being by myself.

Looking back at the life I had been living before I served four years of a twenty-year sentence for selling cocaine, I know it was insane. The way I had not been living my life was insane. (I began using cocaine at the age of twenty-two.) I needed to believe I could become sane. I needed to believe the pain I felt could somehow be lessened. Listening to, talking with, and actually seeing people who had been as upset as I was, and seeing that they had found peace in circumstances worse than mine, helped me to believe. I came to terms with a Power greater than myself. God cares and knows all my needs and wants. I trust Him and His timing today. I am a spiritual being and I needed a spiritual program to guide me through my New Beginning.

My mentor, social worker, counselors, and the meetings at Brigid's Hope have made it easier to live and to maintain my recovery. This process takes time and forgiveness. There are many days that I struggle. I believe, however, that good things won't happen without some struggle and pain. At least I'm struggling for something worthwhile today.

Getting my balance and keeping it once I found it are what recovery is all about. I can do it! I've learned to live again. I've learned to love again and I've learned how to have fun at the same time.

Elia Flores entered the Brigid's Hope program on February 4 of this year and is now an assistant manager at Dollar Tree.

To volunteer as a mentor in Brigid's Hope, the community outreach project of Brigid's Place for women in transition from halfway houses to self-sufficiency, call Vivienne McLean, the project administrator, 713-590-3318. Training is provided. The need-and the rewards-are great.