JP

Her Story

I was arrested on March 9, 2023, and spent about five months in jail. While I was there, I applied to a long-term treatment center. A friend had told me about it before I was arrested, and that seed stayed with me—if anything ever happened, I knew that was where I wanted to go.

I was accepted, but it was a battle. The prosecutor told me I was absolutely not going and that I was headed to prison. But God had other plans, and I was able to go.

I worked the program and took it seriously. But during my time there, I let my emotions get the best of me. I tried out to sing a solo at an event and wasn’t chosen, and that rejection triggered something deep in me. I packed up my things and left.

I knew one thing for sure: going back to using was not an option. I moved in with my mom for two weeks, then went to another sober house in Minneapolis called One Love.

Even then, I knew where I really wanted to be.
 

Finding Home

I had always hoped to come to a Restore Recovery house, but I also knew the expectations and the structure that was required. Everyone encouraged me to go back and finish my treatment program, but I just couldn’t do it at that point.

It took some time before I was able to move here, but when I finally did, it felt like home. I knew immediately that this was exactly where I needed to be.

Because of being here at Restore Recovery, I have accomplished more than I ever thought possible. If I had stayed in that sober house in Minneapolis, I honestly don’t think I would be where I am today. I would have just been existing—and eventually, I believe I would have gone back out. I wouldn’t have had the structure, encouragement, and accountability that I have here.

Executive Director Mindy Mueller's support, her belief in me, and her constant encouragement—“We’re going to do this, we’re going to build, we’re going to reach these goals”—made all the difference. Having a Peer Support Specialist walk alongside me has also been life-changing.
 

Growth and Responsibility

Since being here, I’ve gone on my first family vacation. I paid off my license fines, earned my permit, and I’m on track to have my driver’s license in February. I’m saving for a car. I’ve also become a house manager.

Being a house manager has given me something I never thought I was capable of. It’s a responsibility I take seriously, but it’s also been incredibly empowering. I get to walk alongside other women in their hard seasons, just as they walk alongside me in mine.

There have been challenges. I’ve had people I was close to relapse and leave the house, and that’s been painful. But it’s also taught me that my support doesn’t disappear when someone struggles. I can love them, encourage them, and still maintain healthy boundaries.

My role as a house manager is to help keep everyone focused on their goals and the mission they want to accomplish.

Because of the relationships built here, I was also able to help create an opportunity for housemate to join my workplace. That led to a new peer support role for me—a position that didn’t previously exist. Now, I get to work side by side with her, and I’m loving it.
 

Why Transitional Housing Matters

If someone leaves treatment and goes straight back into the world without support, it can be overwhelming. Treatment provides structure, routine, and accountability—but when that suddenly disappears, many people aren’t prepared.

Transitional housing, when done well, bridges that gap. It teaches real-life skills—how to get a job, manage responsibilities, and re-enter society with support. Some sober houses only provide a place to live. Here, the mission is recovery and growth.

Here, there’s never a response of “maybe” or “we’ll see.” It’s always, “We’ll figure it out. This is how we’re going to do it.” And every time, it gets done.
 

Looking Ahead

I recently earned my CPRS certification and am now state-certified. My goal is to continue working in this field and alongside Mindy.

I don’t walk this journey alone anymore. When things get hard, I know exactly who to call. I pray, I lean on God, and I lean on the people He’s placed in my life.

I am so grateful to be here. I love it here. I truly believe this is where I’m meant to be—and I’m not going anywhere.

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