Jessica came to Lydia’s Home following years of addiction to prescription painkillers followed by years of heroin and fentanyl use that led to more than 20 overdoses, and the loss of her marriage, home, and relationships with six beautiful children.
After years of homelessness, addiction, illicit drug use, theft, and jail or prison stays in nearly every state in the country, Jessica was arrested in May last year on possession and sent to Summit County Jail. During her jail stay, she was invited to attend Bible Study each week.
“This time, something clicked,” Jessica recalls. “I was learning about Jesus, his unconditional love and forgiveness. I found myself looking forward to Sundays for more of these teachings, and during one of these Sunday visits, I finally accepted Jesus Christ as my savior. I started to pray every morning, really get into my Bible every chance I had, and prayed for God to show me the way, to show me what I could do differently, because my life wasn’t working.”
In September of 2025, Jessica was sentenced to an additional four months and transferred to Oriana House, which is a level one prison for women. During her time in Oriana House, her bond with Jesus was strengthened through Bible Study, Thinking for Change coursework, and study with our Women’s Director of Outreach and Mentoring, Renee Cox. Through Renee, Jessica learned about Lydia’s Home.
In January 2026, Jessica arrived at Lydia’s Home with the clothes on her back knowing that she needed to find a different way of living. Since her arrival, BCM has helped her develop a solid foundation in the teachings of Christ. On Easter Sunday this year, Jessica was baptized.
Through her commitment to the program, our commitment to her, and the unfailing love of God, Jessica has grown and flourished at Lydia’s Home. She has mended relationships with four of her six children and her granddaughter.
Through BCMs workforce development program, she has paid all of her court fines and started paying child support.
She has received essential medical, dental, and vision care, and can finally smile again. She has earned her driver’s license, something she thought she’d never accomplish.
In July, she got a car and insurance, and now has reliable transportation to meet her growing needs for work, independence, and family.
This September, Jessica’s probation was terminated a year early because of her consistent progress. And, on October 1, BCM and the Urbean Café teams helped her move into her own apartment as an official Lydia’s Home program graduate.
“Since I accepted Jesus as my savior, my life has been overwhelmed with joy, peace, and true unconditional love,” Jessica says. “I no longer live in pain, shame, guilt, and sorrow in a sinful life. I have a purpose again and my future is looking brighter than it has in years.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone be in Christ, they are a new creature. Old things are passed away; behold, all things become new.”
We congratulate Jessica and pray for her continued success.
