“Whereabouts: Unknown”. That is what you would read if
looking me up on the Internet today.

My name is Catherine and I came about my “mission” July 13,
2010.

I have a 4 year old boy, who means the world to me. He was
my “miracle child” at 37; being I was not supposed to have children. His father
was verbally and mentally abusive so I finally ran away to Inverness to my
parent’s house. I married the father, thinking I was doing the right think for
my son. Little did I know it would backfire.

I have a history of depression, suicide attempts,
self-mutilation and alcoholism. On the 13th, I felt all I could take so I took
my son, 3 at the time, to the next door neighbors crying and pleading to them
to make sure he was taken care of and returned to my parents. I then returned
to the house and proceeded to cut my wrists. Attempt failed, thank God.

While I was in the ER being brought to back to like (in so
many ways), I signed my son over to my parents’ custody temporarily. I was
lost. I love my son to no end but felt he would have been better off without
me.

As a result of my actions, it was ordered that I could no
longer live under the same roof with my son. While I was in the Centers, my
parents looked around for a place for me to live and found The Mission. They
were so excited when they told me about this place. They came and looked
around, finding others in my same position here and felt so comfortable and
confident with The Mission.

Since I have been here, I have comradery and bonding with
other women residing here. I have never been more accepted in my life as I do
here. I am getting the love, attention and self-confidence in getting my son
back and that life is worth living. Living IS what I’m getting at The
Mission.

Since I was a teenager, in and out of hospitals and
psychiatric units, none compare to the shelter; go figure!

The Centers, where I was Baker Acted, did ABSOLUTELY
NOTHINGfor me. If I were looking for a place to just be ignored, fed and
“tucked” away like I was a problem child and having no access to groups or
therapy; I would have been at Club Med. However, I have found the safest,
loving and most respectable home I could ever be in.

My “mission” has brought me to this shelter; having never
been homeless and so lost, and has made me believe there is hope and goodness
out there.

I had lost my son, my belongs…myself. Come here is getting
me all that back and more. Thank you.