For years, Danielle and her son, Jordan, were practically inseparable from her mother.

“It was just the three of us since the day Jordan was born 10 years ago,” Danielle says. “We shared an apartment and everything.”

So when her mom died unexpectedly, Danielle fell into a deep depression. She says, “I didn’t blame God, but I blamed everyone else: the firefighters, the paramedics, the hospital staff.”

“I felt lost … broken … I didn’t know how I was going to move on.”

Sometimes, Danielle would lean on Jordan, who would try to cheer her up. “Don’t worry mama; Nana is still watching over us,” he would say.

And for a short time, it worked. But then the overwhelming feelings of sadness and fear would creep back in to crush her spirit. She began to miss work because of her depression, and eventually, she lost her job. She could no longer afford her apartment and didn’t know what to do.

That’s when a social worker at her son’s school told her about Joy House.

It was here in Joy House that Danielle found not only safe shelter and nutritious meals for herself and her son but encouragement and reminders of God’s transforming love for them.

“I was really hungry and thirsty to get close to God again, and MRM has helped me to do that!” Danielle says. “It has made me hopeful for the future. I have a much more positive attitude, instead of always being mad at the world. Now, I’m letting God be my rock and my foundation!”

“It was definitely God who sent me here,” she says. “This was just what I needed, and it’s been a blessing.”

Thank you for helping women like Danielle find purpose in life again, giving them joy for the present — and hope for the future!