Robin’s Success Story

 Robin Lawerence, with chameleon on her lanyard, imbues her love for Jesus, animals, and her customers at the Ogden pet shop where she works.

As an only child, my relationship with my mother has meant everything to me. But my struggles with addiction and mental illness strained that relationship to the point where last year, I had nowhere to turn, except the Ogden Rescue Mission, where God changed my life.

While I am only 27 and had a good childhood, I started having mental health issues about a decade ago. I developed severe anxiety, was diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum, and had another significant mental health issue.

As these issues festered, I turned first to alcohol, which seemed to help me cope with my symptoms. Later, I turned to other drugs. I tried to get sober and use AA or other programs, but I could never remain sober for long.

When I was 25, I felt like drinking and using drugs was the only way I could feel comfortable around people. But my life was a mess. I was arrested several times for being disorderly in public and was forced to enter rehab. But when my time at rehab was up, I had nowhere to go. My mother and stepdad were done with me (I had relapsed many times while living at their house) and no one else would take me. My caseworker at the rehab facility told me I would have to go to a homeless shelter.

I was scared and didn’t think I could cope inside a homeless shelter. But that’s when I happened to find the Ogden Rescue Mission. I believe it was a God thing that I found the Mission. I had called every sober-living house I could find, but none had room for me. There were no options until I called the Ogden Rescue Mission and talked to Ms. Judy.

She told me about the New Life Program and it was exactly the structure I needed. I had to do work therapy at the Mission and attend classes on time and work through the Genesis Process recovery curriculum. I felt safe at the Mission as Ms. Judy and Pastor Greg taught me about the Bible.

They have a medical clinic on location at the Mission where local doctors see us and I was able to get the right medication for my mental health needs.

I started going to Juniper Tree church and I was baptized there in July of last year. It was amazing because I never had a relationship with God before. I felt the power of the Holy Spirit in my life and was a changed person. There have been times in my life where I have not been the light that the world needs to see, but with Jesus’ help, I feel like I can be that light now.

When I came to the Rescue Mission I was thousands of dollars in debt. But through some legal processes, making payments on my bills, and other avenues, I am now debt free and have a good job. I work at a pet store—one of the best jobs I have ever had.

My managers are good to me. They offer me extra shifts to get overtime but also are understanding when I need to take a shift off. My coworkers are sweet and supportive. If I get overwhelmed working the register, my managers will come to me and tell me to take a break and spend time taking care of the animals for a while. It is amazing how they help me be a success.

As I work, I am saving money. I don’t have huge expectations, I only want an apartment or a place I can call my own. I have never really paid for my own place, but always lived in someone else’s home. This will be the first time I have ever obtained my own apartment and paid for it myself and that is huge step for me. I hope to save up for a car as well.

Most of my mental health issues have gone away. I believe part of it is having the right medication, but I also feel healed by God. When I began a relationship with God, things started to improve and it felt like He took some of my issues away. Of course, being sober helped as well.

Today, for the first time in my life, I feel excited about the future. My mom is texting me again and has suggested that I could come visit her and my stepdad at their home, something that she wouldn’t have allowed a few years ago. She has seen the change in me and since she is my only family, that means the world to me.

I thank you all, the generous supporters of the Ogden Rescue Mission. When I was at my most desperate and most scared, this was the one place I found that would take me in and help me. Your support and God’s help has changed my life, and I have seen it make a difference in so many others while I have been here. God bless you for helping people like me who have nowhere else to turn.