Mary’s Story: The light that breaks through
When I first walked through the doors of New Directions on November 9, 2023, I was at rock bottom. My life had crumbled before me in ways I never thought possible. Just a few months earlier, I had been arrested for the first time in my 50 years, lost custody of my kids in July, and buried my mom in September. I was drowning in grief and pain, sleeping wherever I could—parking garages, alleyways—places that offered some semblance of safety.
The night before I came here, I truly believed I had reached my end. I cried myself to sleep, praying with every ounce of strength I had left. And then, the call came from New Directions: We have a bed for you. Can you be here in 15 minutes? I ran—despite being worn out from life on the streets, I ran as fast as I could. I arrived with nothing but a basket and a tiny shred of hope.
I made a promise to my mom on her deathbed: I would become the woman she always believed I could be. I had already been sober for 11 days by then, and stepping into New Directions became the start of something miraculous.
I dove into the work immediately, attending Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and every group offered at the shelter. I worked through Shoreline, a recovery program, and took classes at A Father’s Place, tackling everything from substance abuse education to domestic violence awareness. This time, it wasn’t because anyone told me I had to; it was because I wanted to. My kids, who were 7 and 8 at the time, were placed in foster care 300 miles away. They didn’t deserve to grow up without their mother.
New Directions didn’t just offer me a roof over my head; it gave me purpose. I became a house mom last year, and eventually the head house mom. I cooked, supported the women who came in, and shared my story. Helping them gave me strength—it reminded me of how far I’d come.
But I didn’t stop there. I worked tirelessly to meet every requirement DSS set for me. I cleared my record through community service. I faced housing setbacks when my income disqualified me from assistance—an ironic punishment for working hard—but I kept going.
Three months ago, I moved to transitional living, and now, after more than a year of perseverance, I’m finally moving into my own home. My kids are set to return soon and I can’t wait to be reunited.
Through it all, I’ve learned that every setback is a setup for a comeback. In February, I’ll graduate from a peer support specialist program at Horry Georgetown Tech, and I’ll finally be able to help others as they navigate the challenges I’ve faced.
My journey has taught me that the cracks in our lives are where the light gets in. At my lowest, I wanted to die, but through the support of New Directions and my unwavering faith, I found a life worth living—a life filled with hope, service, and gratitude.
Without New Directions, I wouldn’t be here today. They gave me the tools, the support, and the belief that I could rebuild. Now, I’m living proof that even in the darkest moments, there is light waiting to break through.