Everyone has obstacles they face in life and often these obstacles are not visible. Some obstacles require help, but you have to know where to find it. Members of the 2019-2020 New Member Class of the JLHP chose to bring awareness to Leslie's House.
Leslie's House is located in High Point and the mission is to provide a safe haven for homeless women without dependents. Our members have a shared vision to be a catalyst for community change by empowering women. This initiative sought to empower women at Leslie's house by creating a "Blessings Room" full of resources to aid women during their transition from the house to an independent living situation.
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THANK YOU TO ALL WHO DONATED towards OUR Leslie's Blessings PROJECT!
GET TO KNOW JLHP Members and Read their stories. |
| "Growing up I had anxiety and depression, but I never understood it. Most days I was unable to make a simple decision. I was constantly nervous and thinking the worst and terrified in social situations. During college it peaked and I spent my early adult life working to understand this side of me and succeeding. Then my mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and I watched her fade. In the moment every skill I had learned over the years took over and I made decisions, was present and fought for what my mom wanted. After she passed, nothing that previously helped me was working. My symptoms present differently, and I continue to learn new strategies to help me. Sharing my story has become part of my therapy. Below is a letter I wrote two months after she passed away. ‘Mom, Today has been two months from the day you died. Two months without you. Two months since I held your hand. Two months since I kissed you and told you I loved you. Not many people know that in the final days of your life we had to put on plastic gowns and gloves to be in the same room as you, not to protect you but to protect us from the horrible things cancer had done to your body. Not many people will ever know the things that we did as a family, the things that I did as your daughter to keep you safe, feel loved and help you keep your dignity that cancer was taking from you. Cancer took you from us two months ago, exactly two months from the day that you were diagnosed.’ I fought and found my inner strength for my mother and I will continue to do so to honor her.” |
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| "This is a picture taken of me at 5 years old on a family vacation to the beach. This image might look like I was a normal little girl, playing in the sand, getting my hair braided, wearing my mom’s sunglasses, but that is so sadly wrong. A week before this photo was taken, I was molested by my father for the first time. I was confused. I was scared. I was overwhelmed and I was silenced. I was silenced from sharing or speaking the truth for the next 11 years. But I am not silent anymore. I am standing up and I am showing up for all victims of sexual, emotional, and physical abuse to share with you that you are not alone. That little flickering fire within is the only spark of fire you need to create a raging forest fire. Speaking up and realizing it was not my fault was the most challenging and inspiring thing I have ever done for myself as it has now allowed me to serve as a catalyst for change for others. Today I represent hope. I represent courage and I represent the most powerful voice I can share with the world…. My voice. You have a voice within. Share it. Use it. Show it." |
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| “My mother was diagnosed with schizophrenia before me and my three sisters were even born. Growing up in an unpredictable household took a toll on my life as a child and as an adult. We witnessed my father being beat and tormented daily and were unable to speak our truth. Instead we were told “what happens in this house stays in this house!” Some of the things I had to witness I thought I had locked away and would never revisit until my mother decided to burn our house down. She was convinced that something was in the house trying to harm her. This behavior is typical of a schizophrenic person. The first fire wasn’t tragic, but the second and third fire was absolutely devastating! I was about 19 years old when the third fire took place. I was already in a bad place in my life trying to heal from my childhood. I was taking narcotics daily to escape my reality and drinking under age. I had started to clean up my behavior until the morning I decided to go get breakfast. On March 9, 2009 I left home not knowing I would return to a disaster. All my pictures, all my medals, and all my memories were gone in a matter of seconds! So, I tried committing suicide. A few years went by and I went back to get my LPN. When I graduated ECPI, I was class president, student ambassador, and mentor for all the students that were having trouble passing their boards. I was the first nursing student to be honored for student of the year. I can stand tall today and say despite the hell I went through as a child and young adult, I beat the odds and one day you will be able to say that too! It’s not about burying your past and forgetting about it. It’s about learning how to cope with it daily and not letting it consume who you are and what you can become!” |
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“On the outside, I may seem like a girl who has it all together. But, on the inside, I don't. Over a year ago my world was turned upside down. I came home from work and heard words no woman ever wants to hear and discovered that all of my now ex-husband's belongings were packed up and moved out. I was devastated, confused, angry, and wanted to give up. For someone who has struggled with depression and anxiety her whole life, this made me hit rock bottom. I felt alone, unloved, and ashamed for many months. During the past year, I have learned how strong I really am and that bad things can actually become positives in your life. Once I reached out for help from a therapist and my co-workers, things turned around for me. I surrounded myself with strong women and found comfort in knowing that I wasn't alone. Looking back, my marriage had many flaws, even in the midst of some good times, including me suffering through mental abuse that took a toll on me. I was more concerned with his well-being than my own. While this storm in my life was the hardest thing I have had to deal with, I am grateful I had to go through all of this pain because today I am mentally and physically stronger. I know I am worthy of love and happiness, and that I will have the life I always envisioned one day. Till then, I will continue to be grateful for what I do have in my life and lean on my family and friends who I love and who love me in return.” |