“Chaotic” is how Ashley describes her childhood. Both of her parents struggled with addiction, and when she was nine years old, she moved in with her grandmother, who tried her best to take care of her. But Ashley was constantly acting out, which eventually led to her placement in foster care.
From Habits to Hardship
After that, she was always sneaking out and drinking. At that age, she thought she was just having fun, and she never imagined that these habits would lead to years of hardship.
Ashley ran away from state custody and went to New Orleans, where she became an exotic dancer at a very young age. She built close relationships with the women she worked with, and she watched some of them die in her arms.
“I didn’t realize that that could be me,” Ashley said. “And I still did it. I continued to do it.”
At that point in her life, all she did was lie, steal and manipulate. No one was safe from her deceitful ways. No one wanted to be her friend.
Esther House: My Change & My Chance
Ashley first heard about Esther House when she was incarcerated at Mobile County Metro Jail on a violation of probation, facing a 116-month prison sentence. There was a girl there who received a letter about rehab, and she didn’t want it. Ashley asked to see the letter and then called the number for 7 Springs.
“Charish answered the phone; she answered the very first ring, the very first time I called, and it was just like, ‘Yep, this is it. This is my change; this is my chance.’”
Ashley never thought she would be where she is today, happy and healthy, with no desire to go back to her old life. She believes that everything she went through helped build her character and her identity in Christ.
“I wake up, and I live right. I start off living right every morning. I get in my Word, and that helps me. And He’s really changed my life. That’s the reason why I’ve changed: because of what He’s done for me.”
If you or someone you love could benefit from the healing that takes place at Esther House, please contact us!