This Mother’s Day will be a day of joy for Cassie – thanks to the support of friends like you. Cassie, a mother of six, was caught in an abusive relationship a few years ago that made for an unhealthy home for her children.

“I told myself everything was fine, but deep down I knew it wasn’t.”

As things got worse and the bills went unpaid, everything came to a head on a single day – all at once, her children were removed and she was evicted.

Cassie did her best to comply with DCS [Department of Child Safety], in hopes of receiving her children back, but restoring custody when you are homeless is all but impossible. As a result, her youngest four children were adopted out.

“We were living out of a car for a few months and it was obvious I couldn’t do what they {DCS} were asking of me until I fixed my situation. One day a voice told me, ‘you need to get out of the car and start walking.’”

“It was God talking,” explains Cassie’s son, Patrick.

Her journey both ended and began here at Phoenix Rescue Mission’s Changing Lives Center.

"It was life-changing. I never had any confidence in myself or my abilities. Phoenix Rescue Mission changed that. I’m working now, paying bills and saving up for my own place.”

We advocated for Cassie in family meetings and before the judge. Five months after she arrived, her oldest son, Patrick, was allowed to come live with her on campus. She is currently in the process of receiving her oldest daughter, Chloe, back as well.

“I was very excited, very happy, and a little nervous because it had been so long since I had them with me. There’s no way I would be where I am today or have my children back if it hadn’t been for Phoenix Rescue Mission.”

“For others in my shoes, I would tell them, don’t be afraid to ask for help. God is there for you – there is always hope!”