JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Jacksonville shelter is serving hundreds of people living on the streets, including women and families trying to escape violence that comes with homelessness.
The City Rescue Mission on Jacksonville's Northside is about to mark 70 years of serving those facing horrid situations.
“It started with marijuana and it instantly went to methamphetamine and cocaine,” said Becky, who is a survivor. “That is what lead to eight years of drug addiction, prostitution and domestic violence.
Becky said she's one of many currently working to escape the violence on the streets and recover from addiction.
“It got to the point I didn't want to be alive,” Becky said.
Now, as a domestic abuse survivor, she is a mentor to others at the faith-based City Rescue Mission, where survivors work, learn, live and heal in a safe place.
Becky has been clean and sober for two years. She's now helping those facing similar demons get on a similar path as her.
“I pray that they can get peace, and clarity after all they’ve been thru,” Becky said.
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“People have hit rock bottom,” said Penny Kievet, executive director at City Rescue Mission. “They’ve tried everything, they think they can do it on their own.”
Kievet said 30 once-homeless women are in an 18-month recovery program.
“I would say about 90 percent have had abuse in their lives,” said Kievet.
It’s a number Kievet says grows at this time of year.
“Desperation, hurt physically and mentally, they’ve been reduced to this,” Kievet said. “We want people to live here and be healthy and productive.”
“I’m going to succeed, it’s not maybe, I know I am,” Becky said.
The City Rescue Mission helps both men and women, homeless or not, through the free service, as well as with other programs.
WJAX
