After 17 years of addiction and instability, Cai slowly rebuilt her life through the support of the Mission’s Bridge program— finding stability, purpose and hope for the first time in years.

Built on Survival

At just 12 years old, she became a caregiver.

After her mother became bedridden with fibromyalgia, Cai not only had to learn to care for herself, but for her struggling mother as well.

“I was just a kid, and I was kind of forced into the parent role,” she recalled. “I was taking care of her hygiene, making food for her—I was doing all of those things. The pressure just got to me; I needed an escape.”

By 13, she had started experimenting with drugs and things escalated from there. What began as an escape slowly turned into a 17-year battle with addiction.

With addiction came cycles of toxic and abusive relationships, crime and dangerous living situations that led to utter hopelessness. She spent years trapped in environments marked by instability, fear and trauma.

At the moment she felt like she had nothing left, everything changed.

“It was a God moment when I got arrested,” she said. “I was sitting in the back of the cop car, and I had nothing left in me anymore. I couldn’t keep going. That was the point I was just like, ‘This is enough already.’”

Rebuilding Step by Step

After years of survival mode, that moment marked the beginning of a long journey toward recovery.

“I did everything in baby steps. I went from jail to rehab to sober living to transitional housing to living with a roommate, then to my own place,” she said.

When Cai first went to sober living, she began rebuilding a new foundation for her life.

Today, Cai is a third-year sheet metal apprentice and works full time in the trades—an accomplishment she once never imagined possible.

“I’m so proud of myself,” she beamed. “If you told me that I’d be where I am now, I would not believe you. I’ve amazed myself.”

But even as she gained sobriety and employment, another challenge remained: learning how to build longer term stability.

After leaving sober living, Cai didn’t yet have the credit, rental history or financial footing needed to move into a place of her own. That’s when she learned about the Bridge program at The Crossing.

The program gave her something she had never truly experienced before: a safe place to be while given the time to properly prepare for independence.

For the first time, Cai was able to build credit, save money, take classes on budgeting and healthy relationships, eat three healthy meals a day, and begin planning for a future filled with hope and purpose.

“I could cry thinking about it. I just had the motivation to do better,” she said. “I had a good career, but I had no self esteem. I’m in a male dominated trade, so I learned how to navigate that and how to regulate my emotions.”

A Life Rebuilt

After leaving the Bridge program, Cai received a car, furniture and help with her first month’s rent through the Mission. She moved in with a roommate, knowing she still wasn’t fully ready to live on her own. Then, earlier this year, she moved into a place of her own for the very first time.

Now, some of the things she is most grateful for are things many people would overlook:

A junk drawer.

Two closets.

Furniture she gets to choose herself.

A home that finally feels peaceful.

“Those are little victories for me,” she said.

Recovery has not been one dramatic overnight transformation, but steady progress through every stage.

“I really did it right this time,” Cai said.

Today, she is continuing to build a future she once thought was impossible. She volunteers at a recovery-focused church and shares her story with women entering the construction trades— knowing firsthand how powerful it can be to see someone who has made it to the other side.

Next year, she hopes to graduate from her apprenticeship program and officially become a journeyman sheet metal worker.

“I’ve been through a lot in my life,” she said, “and if I can make it out of it, I can share my story and help other people make it out too.”

While not every step has been easy, each one has carried her closer to stability, healing and hope.

“The Bridge program changed my life,” she said. “I’ll forever be grateful.”

Rebuilding Step by Step

For Women Seeking Stability

The Bridge program supports families and individuals like Cai on their road to long-term stability.

For Men in Recovery

The New Life Program meets men at their point of need through case management, work readiness and stability while preparing for housing and income—now with PLRS licensed counseling services as an even higher standard of care.

For Families in Crisis

Family Shelter added five times the number of rooms to meet a growing need in the last two years.

From 6 to 30 families

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• Building My Purpose
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• Letter From Our CEO

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