The Road to Recovery

Naomi came to Florida in search of independence but what she found was Metropolitan Ministries and a church – two places that would forever change her life.

In August 2006, Naomi’s life wasn’t heading in the right direction so she and her three year old daughter, Tianna, left New York to start from scratch. With a friend in Florida, that became her destination. What Naomi thought was going to be paradise turned into the lowest of low. Drug dealers constantly came in and out of the home at Naomi’s discretion, but her friend didn’t care. She was given a choice to deal with the circumstances or leave. With her daughter’s best interest at hand, Naomi packed her belongings and headed to the bus station in despair.

Naomi always had a fear of getting herself in a situation where she would not be able to feed her child nor give her the things she asked for. That fear came true. “I was 27 when I found out I was pregnant with Tianna, and because of my fear, I had a negative attitude about having a child,” said Naomi. With tears in her eyes, Naomi explained, “Tianna is the best thing that has ever happened to me. She’s an angel in disguise.” When Naomi feels like she can’t make it another day, her little angel looks at her and says, “I love you mommy. Everything’s going to be okay.”

Naomi had no where to go when she stepped on the bus so the bus driver told her about the program at Metropolitan Ministries. In desperation, Naomi came to Metropolitan Ministries to register for assistance. Metropolitan Ministries gave her a sense of encouragement as she registered for holiday assistance and was told that she could enroll in the intake program. In the meantime, Naomi turned to her church for help for a place to stay. With open arms, a church friend took her in. “Now Tampa’s my home,” said Naomi. “I attend Without Walls International Church and I am being spiritually and emotionally fed.” She loves going to church – “Florida has that publicity of church and I love that feeling.” Naomi believes that everything comes with time and that patience truly is a virtue.

This holiday season was her first at Metropolitan Ministries and one she will always remember.

On Christmas morning, Naomi felt “happy.” Naomi said, “That was a feeling I didn’t expect to have.” It brought Naomi to tears to have something for Tianna on Christmas day.

Naomi is currently on the Metropolitan Ministries waiting list and on the road to recovery. She said, “This is just my testimony that this is going to get better.” Her long term goal is to become a Pharmacy Technician. When asked if she had a message for our donor she said, “You care. Thank you for genuinely caring.”  

-- Naomi

 A client of Metropolitan Ministries