Teenage Wasteland

It’s never been easy being a teenager, but it’s never been harder than in this generation.

Bullying, body image, self-image, peer pressure, social media exposure, anxiety, depression, drugs, alcohol, insecurity… and the list of struggles for teenagers goes on and on. Some teens make a smooth transition into adulthood but most find it a difficult and challenging process. Priscilla found it overwhelming.  

Priscilla was raised by caring grandparents but they couldn’t shield her from a teenage wasteland. It took a turn for the worst when she got into a life of drug addiction and alcohol abuse. It got even worse when she got involved in an abusive relationship with an older man. She had children, became homeless, and lost her children.  

Alone, lost, and homeless she met a man who is now her husband. They had a daughter and then triplets while living on the streets. Through a complete surrender to God, they found the will to look for a way out of the darkness. Their journey started with Detox, then a treatment center, a sober living facility, and finally entered and graduated from the recovery program at the Orange County Rescue Mission.

Priscilla says she finally got a foundation built for her life to overcome all the damage from addiction and homelessness.  

Today, she is still married, has her four children, is doing well in a very stable job at Gelson’s grocery store, has money in the bank, and recently secured a lease on a new apartment for her family. Deed and Truth is pleased to say that our Well Works House2Home volunteer team turned Priscilla’s empty apartment into a cozy home.  

Marcia, and her team, rolled in with a U-Haul truck and did their magic. That empty apartment is now a beautiful space to build lasting family memories. Everyone was deeply touched by the whole experience of seeing God’s people transform the interior of her home just like God transformed Priscilla’s heart.  

A heartfelt “thank-you” from Priscilla, and her family, to all of you who partner with Deed and Truth. Your financial donations, repurposed furniture, volunteer hours, and prayer support have all contributed to helping another family end their experience with homelessness… and that’s a pretty cool thing to be a part of… to be a small part in Priscilla’s journey from the carnage of a Teenage Wasteland to becoming a purposeful, and functional adult woman raising a family of her own.