As a child, I was sexually abused but I didn’t tell anyone in my family. I was 8 years old when I started restricting my food and by the age of 10, I was using self-harm daily. At 13, I was raped by a group of boys and became pregnant. I miscarried right before my 14th birthday and one week later, I attempted suicide for the first time. When God wouldn’t let me die and all my hope was gone, I went on the internet looking for help. Mercy was the first place I found. Later, a Mercy graduate came to speak to my church youth group and encouraged me to apply.

During my time at Mercy, God has truly taken me from death to life. He has restored my hope and my relationships. I’ve learned that everything is better when I let God be in control.

After graduation, I want to get a degree in social work and communications. God has put a passion in me for every person who feels like they don’t have a voice. I want to be that voice.