Articles by Hope Is Alive

From Desperation to Lasting Recovery: 10 Years of Hope in the HIA Women’s Program

Hope is Alive

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From Desperation to Lasting Recovery: 10 Years of Hope in the HIA Women’s Program

When Ally Lang first encountered the world of addiction, she didn’t fit the expected profile. She wasn’t an addict. She didn’t work in the medical field, and she knew nothing about addiction recovery. She was an event planner who was also a faithful Christian. So, how did she go from creating vision boards and coordinating linens to befriending heroin addicts and helping build a revolutionary addiction recovery program for women at Hope is Alive?

The Need for Hope

Fifteen years ago, Ally was dating an addict, (now her husband) Lance Lang. She supported him through his journey to sobriety, having no idea how much his addiction would shape her own future.

“It was an eye-opening experience to realize the trauma that friends and family members go through when dealing with someone in addiction, not knowing if our loved ones are going to be dead or alive that day,” Ally said. “There were so many times where I would go over and just check his pulse to see if he was still breathing and then leave, and he would have no idea I had been there.”

When Lance finally returned to work, sober, Ally realized just how much trauma she was carrying. They weren’t married. They didn’t have kids together. Yet she had stayed with a drug addict.

“I finally understood during my treatment for codependency what recovery was and what it meant for someone to have something outside of themselves control their entire life, whether that be substances, emotional issues, or something else,” Ally remembered.

After Ally came back from her treatment, she traveled with Lance as he began sharing his story in churches across Oklahoma. She sold copies of his book, Hope is Alive, from a booth at each event. One mother after another would approach with stories about their sons, and Ally offered them a clear path: detox, treatment, sober living. It was the same path Lance had walked.

But when those same brokenhearted mothers came with stories about their daughters, Ally didn’t have anything to give them. There was no clear path to walk down.

“I saw the desperation in these mothers’ faces when we told them that we didn’t have anywhere for their daughters to go,” Ally shared.“I saw the need for a women’s program, but I felt like it wasn’t my problem at the time. And then God made it my problem.”

Opening the First Women's Home

Ten years ago, the landscape of addiction recovery primarily focused on the needs of men, leaving a painful gap in resources for women. After turning away desperate mothers time and time again, Ally knew something had to give.

“I’m not a drug addict or alcoholic, so I had never felt like this was a calling on my life,” Ally said. “That is, until that August day in 2015 when God completely wrecked me, and I wrote the email to Lance that changed everything.”

When Ally shared her vision for a women’s program with Lance, he knew he didn’t have the capacity or resources to handle it on his own, but he thought it had a lot of potential. He gave her two conditions: one, she would need to raise $50,000 to launch it, and two, she wouldn’t be paid to do it.

Ally accepted the challenge and devised a plan to raise the money, not realizing how difficult it would be. She started by hosting luncheons for women in the community, asking them to bring friends and donate to her vision. By the fourth event, they had raised only $1,000. Ally and Lance began to wonder if maybe God didn’t want this to happen after all.

But at that fourth event, God moved unexpectedly.

“There was a woman who looked like she wanted nothing to do with us the entire time,” Ally recalled. “She ran out the door as soon as it was over. Then the host brought us a check [from the woman] for $50,000.”

In an instant, the women’s program was no longer a far-off dream. With funding in hand, Ally began searching for the first women’s house. They weren’t in a position to buy, and landlords were less than eager to lease to a group of women in recovery. Door after door closed — sometimes because the house wasn’t right, other times because the owner wasn’t willing to take the risk.

After looking at 30 different properties, Ally was just about ready to throw in the towel. Thankfully, house number 31 had potential.

“I walked into the house, and it was absolutely perfect,” Ally remembered. “The landlord told me it was already under contract, but asked for my email just in case. When I sent it, he noticed that my email address was for Hope is Alive and wrote back, ‘Do you know Lance Lang? I gave him the first lease on his very first Hope is Alive house in Oklahoma City. If this is what you want it for, go save some lives.’”

The first female resident came from Wichita, Kansas, Ally’s hometown. The resident’s mother had been following Hope is Alive for years. When she walked through the home, she was in tears.

“I thought I would be dropping my 18-year-old daughter off at a disgusting little house,” she told Ally. Instead, her daughter got to heal in a beautiful, safe home in a respectable neighborhood.

From day one, the women’s program was full and quickly grew to a waitlist. Within two years, HIA opened a second women’s home in Oklahoma City, which filled just as quickly. God didn’t just give Ally the vision for the women’s program — He provided the money, the houses, the women to fill them, and the staff to support the mission.

Rewriting Addiction Recovery

“Your heart aches for them to win,” Ally said. “But you also see the devastation when some don’t make it.”

This is the brutal reality of addiction recovery. Sobriety isn’t easy. Every victory is hard-earned, and every relapse leaves a mark. It didn’t take long for Ally to realize that the women needed more than a bed, a curfew, and a meeting schedule.

“We were calling it the Hope is Alive program,” she said, “but it wasn’t a program. It was just rules and structure.”

In just a few weeks, Ally built what became the Hope is Alive Recovery Model — a holistic path that didn’t stop at sobriety but aimed to rebuild every part of a woman’s life.

“Most places just tell you to stop drinking and using,” she explained.“We say, ‘Let’s create a life so good you never want to escape from it again.’”

HIA’s Recovery Model goes deeper than surface-level sobriety. It addresses the root issues that fuel addiction, which can be just as destructive as chemical dependency. This means tackling process addictions — patterns like pornography, workaholism, eating disorders, or unhealthy relationships — and unresolved trauma, whether it be a “big T” trauma like abuse or a “little t” trauma like a hurtful comment. The incorporation of faith also makes HIA’s Recovery Model unique.

“I wrote a program that works all the way back from ‘I am a raging drug addict and alcoholic’ to ‘this is who God created me to be,’” Ally said. “Somewhere along the line, something happened to me that I had no control over, that shifted the trajectory of my life, that led me here, but it doesn’t have to define me anymore... And that was where the program was born.”

When Ally first pitched her curriculum, Lance wasn’t convinced her approach would work. But, he gave his blessing for her to try it with the women’s home, and it wasn’t long before radical life change in the residents became undeniable. The women were embracing a new beginning in Christ and fresh dreams for their futures.

“We opened people’s eyes to a whole new sector of recovery for women in Oklahoma,” Ally shared. ”We changed the landscape for men’s recovery, too.”

When the men in the HIA program saw the women growing in confidence and setting bold goals, they wanted the same for themselves. Eventually, the Recovery Model was expanded to the men’s homes, making it the heartbeat of HIA's approach to long-term recovery.

Restoring One Woman at a Time

“When we started the program, I wasn’t a mom,” Ally said. “Looking back on it, having my own kids now, it is so profound to see what God was doing in our lives.”

She remembers Saturdays at the first women’s home vividly: they were alive with the sound of children’s laughter. Because HIA was able to offer a safe place for visitation, the home would often be filled with little ones running through the halls, playing in the yard, and wrapping their arms around their moms. Many of these children had gone years without being able to visit their mother in a stable environment. To witness those reunions and see those relationships thriving became one of the most powerful and unforgettable parts of Ally’s journey.

“It’s just incredible for me to watch these stories unfold, and that’s the women’s program story over and over again,” Ally said.

Amanda White was one of the first women to walk through the doors of the first HIA’s women’s home. She arrived carrying the weight of 13 failed treatment attempts. At intake, she told Ally, “This is no different. Nowhere else has worked for me, and this won’t either.” Amanda’s parents had spent unspeakable amounts of money on treatment, and hope felt impossibly out of reach. Still, Ally encouraged her to give the program a chance. Amanda stuck around and has been sober since the day she moved in — more than seven years ago. Today, she is happily married to another HIA alum, and they have one son.

Stories like Amanda’s strengthened Ally’s belief that transformation was possible. But one particular experience completely changed her perspective on addiction recovery. The woman had come to HIA straight from prison, not having seen her children in three years. A staunch atheist, she would openly challengeAlly at every Sunday meeting. Week after week, their debates about the existence of God became so common that the other residents would ask, “Are you two going to argue the entire time?”

This went on for seven months. Then, one afternoon, Ally stopped by for a one-on-one session. The woman looked at her and asked,“Hey ... what if you’re right?” Ally laughed and replied, “Wouldn’t that be crazy?” The woman said, “I think I’m ready,” and repeated the salvation prayer after Ally.

Two weeks later, Ally had the privilege of baptizing her, which revolutionized Ally’s view of women working through recovery.

“It showed me that everyone, no matter who it is, is worth investing into,” she said. “No matter how angry they are, how hurt they are by the church, how many drugs they’ve done, how messed up their body is from cutting and using, they are never too far gone for God to step in and rescue them. This is a program with eternal impact. Because I showed up that day, I’ll get to experience heaven with this woman.”

A Decade of Hope and Counting

From that very first women’s home in Oklahoma City to a growing network of safe places for women to heal, the Hope is Alive women’s program has shown what can happen when faith meets addiction recovery. Over the past decade, women have walked in carrying the weight of addiction, trauma, and hopelessness, and they’ve walked out with restored families, renewed faith, and a future they never thought they’d have.

Even as the landscape of addiction shifts, Ally believes the heart of the program will remain the same.

“Drugs are always going to change,” she said. “Everything’s more readily available than it’s ever been before. Everything’s deadlier than it’s ever been before. But the truth is, the program won’t have to change because the program teaches you to believe all the things that God already says about you. And that never changes.”

When You Can’t Fix It, Be Still

When You Can’t Fix It, Be Still

Last week, we talked about how hard it can be to be still — especially when life feels out of control. I shared how, during my ex-husband’s addiction, I spent so much time trying to fix, manage, and carry everything myself. I thought my constant motion was helping, but it was actually keeping me from letting God move.

Psalm 46:10 reminds us to “Be still and know that I am God.” This is a command to stop striving, stop fighting, and trust Him to do what only He can do.

So how do we actually “be still” in the middle of chaos, pain, and addiction? Here are a few ways that have helped me:

Anchor to God: Spend even just five minutes a day in His presence. Pray. Breathe. Rest.
Anchor to recovery: Keep attending groups, not just for your loved one but for yourself.
Anchor to community: Surround yourself with people who remind you of truth. For me, that has been my Finding Hope group.
Anchor to self-care: Exercise, journal, worship, or whatever gives your soul room to breathe.

One practice that helped me was journaling. I began setting aside a few minutes each day to write out my worries, fears, and prayers. On paper, everything felt clearer. The weight that lived in my head and heart suddenly had a place to go.

At first, it felt uncomfortable — I wanted to hold on, to fix, to control. But over time, journaling became a rhythm of release. Each time I found myself grasping for control again, I would open my journal, pour out my thoughts, and surrender them to God. Writing gave me space to breathe and reminded me I didn’t have to carry it all.

It didn’t come naturally at first. But over time, I began to taste the peace that comes from letting God be God.

And just like the story of bamboo — years of hidden growth before it suddenly shoots up 90 feet — our faith often looks unseen for a long time. But under the surface, God is working.

Friend, I know the hustle-bustle world tells you to fight harder, do more, control everything. But God says: “Be still. Stop striving. Trust Me.”

He is your refuge. He is your strength. He will fight your battles. Step back, open your eyes, and let Him do what only He can do.

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With hope,

Darcie Stephens, Finding Hope Coordinator

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For more information, visit:

FindingHope.Today

HopeAfterLoss.Today

Be Still in the Chaos

Be Still in the Chaos

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

We live in a culture that screams go, go, go. If we aren’t rushing from one thing to another, we’re glued to our phones, scrolling, numbing, or filling our minds with more noise.

Research says the average person spends over four hours a day on their phone. Moms with kids under 18 average 20 hours a week driving.

And with over 60,000 thoughts per day — 75% of which are negative — our minds often become prisons of worry, regret, or self-criticism.

It’s no wonder slowing down feels impossible.

I remember in the middle of my ex-husband’s addiction, I didn’t know how to be still. I was in constant motion: checking his phone, searching the house, trying to piece together anything that might help him change. I thought I was helping. But what I didn’t realize was that addiction wasn’t only controlling him — it was controlling me, too.

I was exhausted. My energy, my sleep, my health, and even my ability to care for myself was drained because I didn’t know how to be still.

That’s why Psalm 46:10 speaks so deeply. “Be still” isn’t a suggestion; it’s a command. God is telling us to stop fighting battles that aren’t ours to fight. He is telling us to stop enabling, to stop fixing, to stop carrying what only He can carry.

The Christian Standard Bible puts it this way: “Stop fighting, and know that I am God.” So I want to ask you:

What are you fighting that isn’t yours to fight?
Are you standing in the way of what God is trying to do?

Being still doesn’t mean doing nothing. Rather, it means to trust that God is who He says He is: our refuge, our strength, our ever-present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1).

This week, I encourage you to take just five minutes to sit quietly with God. Write down the thoughts racing through your head, pray over them, and ask Him to help you release the things that aren’t yours to carry.

Friend, you don’t have to fight this alone. God is your refuge. He is your strength. He is your ever-present help.

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With hope,

Darcie Stephens, Finding Hope Coordinator

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For more information, visit:

FindingHope.Today

HopeAfterLoss.Today

Breaking the Stereotype of Addiction: The Story of Colby Haggard

Breaking the Stereotype of Addiction: The Story of Colby Haggard

“I wasn’t homeless. I wasn’t in trouble with the law. I was respected in business. I was active in church. But I was also addicted — and I didn’t even know it.”

When you picture an addict, you probably don’t picture someone like Colby Haggard. The stereotypical addict is someone whose life is visibly unraveling — someone who looks disheveled, acts irrationally, and struggles to hold down a job or maintain relationships. Colby Haggard, however? He didn’t fit the stereotype — and that’s exactly the problem.

Everyone around Colby saw him as a successful businessman with a strong religious foundation. This image was strengthened when Colby began working alongside Hope is Alive Ministries in 2021. Though not officially on staff, it was during this time that he formed a deep connection with Ari Patchen, HIA’s Director of Community Development, and even launched a community event called Legacy of Hope.

What no one realized — including Colby himself — was that he needed the very hope and healing he was working to offer others. For more than 25 years, Colby had been quietly battling addiction.

“I thought I was doing what everyone else did to relax,” he said. “In reality, addiction had been affecting my life since I was 16. I just didn’t see it.”

Colby’s world took a dramatic turn in July 2024 when his wife gave him an ultimatum: get help or lose your family. This was when God stepped in, lended Colby His hand, and guided him towards the right path. This spiritual experience is what pushed Colby to do something drastic: reach out for help even though he hadn’t yet accepted his addiction.

“I reached out to Ari on a Saturday. I was ashamed and couldn’t look him in the eye. But he said, ‘We got you. We’re going to take care of you. Do you want to go somewhere and get help?’”

Colby didn’t realize what getting help looked like, let alone that in 48 hours he would be receiving it. Before leaving for treatment, Colby made the hardest phone calls he has ever had to make. For the first time, he told people the truth. He admitted that he was struggling and that he was going to go away to get help. That honesty marked the beginning of a new life.

“Even though I didn’t go through a HIA home, their team was with me every step of the way. The Hope Line, the placement team, the calls even during treatment when I wasn’t always pleasant — HIA stayed with me the entire time. They cared for me like family. They cared for my wife too.”

When Colby returned home after treatment, he was welcomed with open arms. His wife stood beside him and his professional career shifted for the better. God opened doors he never foresaw coming, like being offered a job with HIA.

“I never imagined my life would look like this — working in recovery, leading in a nonprofit, helping others find freedom. But it’s exactly where I’m supposed to be. God didn’t waste a single experience in my life. He used every lesson, failure, and success to prepare me for this.”

Addiction doesn’t always look like a mugshot. It can wear a suit. It can sit in a pew. If that’s you, there’s hope. Reach out to HIA today and see where placing your trust in God takes you.

Be Still: Learning to Wait While God Works | Bible Reading Plan

Hope is Alive Alumni Celebrate Another Year of Friendsgiving

Hope is Alive Alumni Celebrate Another Year of Friendsgiving

Every fall, our alumni take a moment to pause during the holiday rush and come together for Friendsgiving. Unlike other HIA alumni events, Friendsgiving isn’t built around a program or a schedule. It’s meant to feel more like walking into a family gathering where alumni can relax, enjoy a good meal, and simply be present with the people who have walked alongside them in their recovery journey.

Friendsgiving has become a tradition in every market where we have an alumni group, and this year’s celebrations were full of laughter, gratitude, and a whole lot of good food.

Alumni Friendsgiving Gatherings

Oklahoma City saw the largest turnout, with more than 30 alumni from OKC and Weatherford filling HIA’s central office great room for a catered Thanksgiving meal. Though the main dishes were taken care of, in true family style, many alumni showed up with homemade desserts and sides.

Other markets kept the spirit alive in their own way. Tulsa and Claremore gathered at the home of a longtime supporter who loves hosting the group each year. Across North Carolina, both Greenville and the Crystal Coast had strong participation once again, each group meeting out for dinner. Kansas City, Wichita, and DFW followed a similar path, choosing local restaurants where alumni could gather around a long table, share a meal, and enjoy the chance to breathe during the busy holiday season.

While each market celebrated a little differently, one thing remained consistent: The culture alumni first experienced inside Hope is Alive’s recovery homes resurfaced. Alumni celebrated milestones, shared life updates, and encouraged one another. Stories from early recovery mixed with updates about new jobs, growing families, and personal victories. Even without a structured agenda, the heart of the program showed up around every table.

As newer graduates, like Devin Scarbrough, sat beside those who completed the program years ago (as far back as 2019!) Friendsgiving became a reminder of the lasting community that develops through Hope is Alive. No matter how far alumni have come or how busy life becomes, traditions like Friendsgiving make it clear that they’ll always have a place to come home to.

What Our Alumni Have to Say

“My favorite part about Friendsgiving was meeting all of the other alumni and hearing about their experience in the program and what their lives look like now. As the most recent graduate, this was my first alumni event, and it was truly a special experience getting to see all of the previous graduates that are staying connected to the program that saved their life, just like it did mine.” —Devin Scarbrough

“Friendsgiving was a great chance to reconnect with people I haven’t seen in a while. It was like a family gathering, and it was great to catch up with everyone and hear about what’s been going on in their lives.” —Grant Green

“It was great to see everyone and how they are doing today. I am thankful to be a part of HIA and how lives are still radically changed even out of the program.” —Robert Holsonbake

When Churches Open the Door to Recovery

Finding Hope Podcast: Thriving the Holidays with Shane Edwards

Gratitude Through the Holidays

Gratitude Through the Holidays

As we step into this Thanksgiving week, let’s remind ourselves to cultivate a spirit of gratitude. The holiday season often stirs a mix of emotions — moments of joy, but also fear, anxiousness, and even grief. Yet in those moments, we can lean on the truth found in 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

When we love someone struggling with substance use disorder, the holidays can be especially complicated. It’s easy to dwell on how the past holidays looked — whether they were filled with cherished memories or painful moments. It’s just as easy to fixate on how this year feels different, whether those changes are good or hard to process.

When our focus shifts to how we believe things should be, it often leaves us feeling fearful, anxious, or overwhelmed. Instead, let’s anchor ourselves in gratitude for what is. Every small blessing is an opportunity to pause, give thanks, and trust that God is present with us in this season.

So this week, I want to challenge you to intentionally walk in a spirit of gratitude.

Start your day by listing three things you’re grateful for. It could be as simple as the sunrise, a warm home, or the people you love. Then, as your day ends, reflect on three ways the Lord blessed you throughout the day — big or small.

Pray with a heart of gratitude. Thank God not only for His blessings but also for His presence in the midst of challenges. Gratitude and trust go hand in hand, and when we thank Him in all circumstances, it deepens our faith.

Reflect on His faithfulness. Look back on the storms of life where He carried you through. Remembering His guidance in the past strengthens our hope for the present and future.

Gratitude is a choice, and as we practice it daily, it shifts our hearts and helps us see God’s goodness all around us — even in the hard moments. Let’s walk in His peace and power this week, trusting that He is with us every step of the way.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV

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With hope,

Darcie Stephens, Finding Hope Coordinator

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For more information, visit:

FindingHope.Today

HopeAfterLoss.Today

Counting Our Blessings: Thanksgiving at Hope is Alive

Counting Our Blessings: Thanksgiving at Hope is Alive

Every year, the Thanksgiving season invites residents, mentors, staff, and supporters to pause and reflect on the journeys happening within our homes. For many, this time of year once brought loneliness or painful memories. Today, it marks new beginnings.

Gratitude Rooted in Transformation

Residents at HIA aren’t just trying to stay sober — they’re rebuilding their lives.

Simple routines like Bible studies, house meetings, mentoring, and working help residents create stability again. And with that stability comes gratitude, often for things they once took for granted such as:

Waking up sober
Having a safe place to live
Feeling supported by peers
Earning a paycheck

A Community That Builds Gratitude

One of the biggest blessings in HIA homes is the sense of family. Residents live in structured, gender-specific homes surrounded by people who understand their journey. Alumni and mentors — who are in long-term recovery themselves — show what’s possible in sobriety and speak hope into the lives of newer residents.

That environment naturally leads to gratitude. You hear it in conversations around the dinner table, in house meetings, and even in simple moments when someone says, “I couldn’t do this without you.”

Thankful for Recovery

At HIA, gratitude isn’t reserved for just one day in November — it’s part of the recovery journey. It shows up:

When a resident gets their first job
When a family member comes to visit
When someone celebrates another month clean
When a housemate offers encouragement on a hard day

These are the blessings we count, and they’re the reason we have so much to be thankful for at Thanksgiving!

So, are you ready to hear what our residents are thankful for this year? They’ve taken time to reflect on the moments and milestones that have meant the most to them this year, and we can’t wait to share with you how far they’ve come!

“The thing I’m most grateful for this year is my incredible housemates. From the moment I moved in, I knew I had found a supportive group of friends who genuinely care for me and seek to follow Christ together. It’s a true blessing to share a home with brothers united in sobriety, accountability, and love for Jesus.” —Perry Long

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“For Thanksgiving, I’m grateful that I have a sober support system. I’m thankful for a good family that still loves and cares about me — I have someone who is willing to invite me to Thanksgiving and hang out with their family. I’m also grateful that I’ve been clean and sober for over a month, and I’m grateful that God has moved in ways in my life to keep me alive and protect me.” —Joshua Fine

“This year, I’m most thankful for Jesus Christ and the mercy, love, and forgiveness that He blesses me and my family with.” —Amy Wheeler

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“I’m thankful that I get to spend time with my children during this Thanksgiving season. We are blessed to have a place to go and eat a great meal.” —Nichole Rocha

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“This year, I’m thankful for my sobriety! I’m thankful for the countless blessings and people that the Lord has brought into my life. I’m grateful to not be in jail for the holidays and to actually be able to realize it’s the holidays! I’m so grateful for the joy I have been able to experience and the love that surrounds me.” —Heather Kane

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“This year, I’m thankful for my sobriety, my relationship with God, for the women in my home, and Hope is Alive.” —Christina Griffin

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“I’m grateful for how much I have grown this last year, both spiritually and personally. I’m also grateful for the people who have been put in my life to support me through my growth and remind me that I’m worth it.” —Amanda Gentry

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“I’m thankful for the HIA program, community, sobriety, everyone that pours into us ladies, my Lord Jesus, my family, and the opportunities that I receive daily. I’m also thankful for peace, my future, second chances, life, the promises God has given me, friendship, my job, and the breath in my lungs.” —Kristen Dean

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“I’m thankful for forgiveness and second chances, people who uplift and stay positive, and God’s unwavering love.” —Patty Burkett

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“This year, I’m thankful for the new, free life God is allowing me to live! I’m becoming a better person by learning more about the love God has for me. I’m grateful for being able to come back to HIA! I’m so grateful to be a part of this life-changing program, and I’m excited to finally become who God created me to be!” —Janell Miller

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“I’m thankful for the wonderful opportunity HIA has given me to change my life and discover my true self. I’ve met so many wonderful people that have been so kind and welcoming, and I’m so thankful for each and every one of them.” —Echo (Elisabeth) Goodspeed

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“I’m grateful for the restoration happening within my family. Through my commitment to sobriety, healing has begun to happen through the people I love most. My family is finding Jesus, getting sober, and reuniting with each other. Watching God work in our lives fills me with gratitude and purpose.” —Josh Hulsey

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“I’m thankful for the brothers I have here at HIA. I’m thankful God led me here to this house at this time! And I’m thankful for the family restoration I’ve had since I’ve been here!” —Deric Denton

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“I'm grateful for my God that always loves me no matter what, my house brothers for always keeping me accountable, and this community for always showing love to a bunch of guys.” —Freddy Galvan

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“I’m thankful for the HIA logo on my chest and the reward of reconciliation with my family. I’m thankful for my dad, my two brothers, and my mom.” —Brandon Wilson

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“I’m thankful to be able to say I'm a father again.” —Brandon Garner

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“I’m grateful for…

The birds in the air and the grass at my feet,

Reminders of God’s presence in every heartbeat.

The peace in my spirit that His grace restores,

And my nephews’ joy echoing through open doors.

For the journey He’s led me on, steady and far

His mercy my compass, His love my North Star.”

—Joshua Dial

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“I’m thankful for a new chance at life. I'm thankful for HIA — for giving me the chance to get back on my feet. I'm thankful for my new relationship with God. I’m thankful for having a good job and the ability to have a job. I'm thankful to have a relationship with my family and my children. I'm thankful to have a car, and that I got my driver's license back.” —Kevin Watson

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“This year, I’m most thankful for the preparation my God is putting into me, including leadership summits, boot camp, studying the Word, listening to podcasts, taking lessons, but most importantly, prayer and meditation. The purpose He has for my life will be good, all the way down to the bone.” —Natasha Caine

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“This year, I'm most thankful that my relationship with God has strengthened so much. I'm so proud that I have already changed to become an obedient disciple of Christ and that my family is so proud of me.” —Holly Biggs

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“I’m grateful for my life and everything that has happened in my life that has led me to where I am. I’m grateful for the family and the friends God has brought into my life.” —Nathanael Bassoum

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“I’m most thankful for this year and for the new life God has led me to live. I’m thankful for my change of heart, mind, and outlook on life. I’m also thankful for the reconnection I have with my family and loved ones. The last thing I’m thankful for is my newfound family in Hope is Alive.” —Chad Dunnings

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“I’m most thankful for my newfound relationship with Jesus Christ. Since coming into Hope is Alive, I have found a home church, begun praying, and joined a group of Christian men who are chasing after God.” —Eli Jennings

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“I’m grateful for being in Hope is Alive, the opportunities I have had since coming into the program, and the second chance at life.” —Dustin Sanders

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“I’m thankful for Hope is Alive accepting me into the program. Without them, I would not be sober. I have hope now!” —Lance Taylor

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“This year, I’m thankful for God restoring my heart, faith, and mind, and for the blessings of restored relationships and a fresh start at life.” —Brian Webb

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“I’m so grateful for where God has put me — in this city, this house, this program. I’m truly beyond grateful for Hope is Alive and our amazing supporters.” —James Ashby

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“The thing I’m most grateful for is how HIA has helped me get closer to God. Unlike other programs, they helped me open a Bible instead of throwing it at me. Thank you, HIA!” —Mike Summers

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"This year, I’m most thankful for my newfound relationship with God. I’m also thankful for being able to come to HIA, which has given my family restoration and allowed me to now be able to see my kids again." —Jacob Bridges

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“I’m so thankful for the opportunity to see my children on Thanksgiving this year. I’m also grateful for HIA helping me become the mother my children deserve and the wife my husband deserves!” —Jessie Silver

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“This year, I'm most thankful for God's grace and HIA. I’m grateful for reconnecting with my family and all of my brothers in this program!” —James Wylie

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“This year, I’m most thankful for my brothers here at HIA and for the amazing community filled with loving supporters who continually love on us and help lift us up.” —William Watashe

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“This Thanksgiving is different. This is different because I’m able to understand more of what God’s blessings really can be. I’ve been able to mend personal and familial relationships as well as grow family within HIA. Recovery has made me feel more joy for the holidays and a more prosperous future.” —Jimmy Crable

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“Since coming to Hope is Alive, I have found a career, restored my relationship with my family, and become a member of my church. I have grown closer to Jesus than I could have ever imagined. I’m thankful for the amazing opportunities to become the man I have always wanted to be through Christ and this program.” —Mike Boris

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“December 5th will be 6 months here at HIA, and it's the best thing that has happened to me in 49 years. This is my first sober living house, and I’m so grateful it is Christ-centered because that's what I needed in my life. To the Lang family, to my PM, and to my sponsor, I’m grateful. I love every one of my brothers here. Before every transformation, there is darkness, and I definitely went from the darkness to the light. Thanks be to the Lord and HIA!” —Dwayne Summers

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“This year, I have more to be thankful for than ever before. First, I'm thankful for my relationship with Jesus — the One who's given me a joy I can't even fully explain. He's carried me, changed me, and given me hope again. I'm also grateful for the men and women at HIA who are truly sold out and who continue to support me on this journey. Their love and encouragement mean more than they know. I'm thankful that I get to be a dad again — sober, present, and becoming the man my child deserves. That alone is one of the biggest blessings in my life. And lastly, I'm thankful simply to be alive... to have a clear mind, a healthy body, and a future I can actually look forward to. Thank you, Jesus. And thank you, HIA, for believing in me.” —Harrison Moore

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“I’m grateful for so many things this year: the grace of my leaders, the fellowship in the community around me, being able to have all my debt paid off, new job opportunities, and a continuously growing relationship with Jesus Christ.” —Mason Amelunke

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“I’m grateful for HIA! I’m grateful for my family and being sober and all the men in the house and the community.” —Levi Mann

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“I’m grateful for the peace and joy God has granted me during this time in recovery. I’m grateful that I have a happy and healthy relationship with my family.” —Garret Daniel

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“I’m grateful for all my kids being back together, being a father and not just a dad, and my business growing and being successful by the grace of God.” —Brandon Stevens

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“I’m extremely grateful for my sobriety, for the friends I have in my life today, and for the relationship I have with my higher power.” —Ethan Winfield

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“I’m grateful that Jesus found me and saved me from the darkness I was living in. He is the cornerstone of my recovery and the foundation I’m building a new life on. Through Him, I’m a new creation and my heart is full of gratitude.” —Lauren Mullins

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“I’m thankful first to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, my source of hope and strength. I’m grateful for my husband, my family, and the true friends who loved me through everything. And I’m thankful for HIA — more than a program, it’s a family that loves, laughs, and grows with me. Even while I’m apart from my biological family, God is in control, and hope is alive.” —Kerri Toups

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“I’m thankful for my family, my sobriety, and my new life in Christ!” —Victor Garcia

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“I’m beyond grateful for the work God has done in my and my family’s lives!” —Aaron Spain

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“I’m grateful for getting to see my son weekly, when months ago, he didn’t even recognize me.” —Michael Page

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“I’m thankful for my sobriety, a relationship with Christ, and Hope is Alive for helping me radically change my life.” —Patrick Mahr

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“I’m grateful for the brothers in the home plus all the support and love we receive from our supporters.” —Chase Anderson