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The Light of Truth Center, Inc.
443-393-2109
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LTC's
D-U-N-S
Number is
11-723-0198
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3308 Kyle Court
Baltimore, MD
21244
Stories of Courage & Determination
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Powerpoint
Presentation from
our 2004 Fundraiser
The Light of Truth Center, Inc. is a recovery facility in Baltimore that reaches out to recovering homeless women who are unable to pay. It is one place where a woman can find the support she needs even when she can’t support herself financially.
What’s truly amazing is that the support, resources, and love she will receive at The Light of Truth Center, Inc. matches or even far exceeds what other programs offer. We believe every woman deserves the chance to fully recover – without worrying about covering expenses.
The Light of Truth Center is a facility that prepares women to return to their families and communities as viable, productive, creative contributors.
LTC encourages women to stand in the newness of life, in each moment, to choose to change their behaviors, attitudes, perspectives and ideas, thereby casting out doubt, fear, and self-hatred. We share the gifts, beyond all imagination, of recovery by caring about others, by living, not just surviving, by flourishing, prospering, sharing, and most of all loving.
When people become addicted they can feel trapped in a deadly cycle that they are powerless to stop. There simply seems to be no way out for the addict. But people can and do recover every day, as is illustrated in the following stories from the women that we serve.
We are sharing these stories, with permission from the women, so that you can see that your support makes all the difference in the world. When they talk about The Light of Truth Center, Inc.; they are also talking about you. Every monetary donation that we receive goes directly to assist the women in the house.
First and foremost my gratitude starts with God because through God he led me to The Light of Truth Center, in which I never believed that my recovery could ever be possible. I merely wanted to die in my active addiction. I was a very sick individual mentally. So I self-medicated myself until I was in a coma state for 8 years. I had a lot of tragedy in my life that I could not deal with; so I went into seclusion after I lost my home and children and went off to live in the woods for 4 years. Now that I am awake from my deep sleep. I don't know how I ever survived those conditions. The winter months were extremely hard on me but I survived through Gods help. The Light of Truth Center had to teach me how to live a normal productive life all over again. I was only used to living in animal like conditions, wearing the same clothes for months that I found on the trash.
First and foremost I want to thank the God of my understanding for being somewhat in my right state of mind today. Well, I have been using drugs and alcohol since I was about two years old. My mother would give it to me thinking that it was funny when i would do crazy things and fall out. I had resentments against her but i had to learn how to forgive her because now I know today she also had the disease of addiction. I grew up in a very dysfunctional family thinking that using drugs and drinking alcohol was normal. My disease progressed as I got older. I started using harder drugs heroin and crack cocaine. My life became so unmanageable. I have had three kids in active addiction. Two of them I do not even know. I do not even know where they are. My mother died while I was in active addiction. I'm trying to still deal with her death because I numbed my feelings for so long using drugs. I still have guilt and shame. I'm trying to deal with
I started drinking at 19 in my sophomore year of college. I was only drinking coolers at the time but when Homecoming came around I graduated to hard liquor. I thought it would help me to let loose and have a good time at the parties. In college I only drank on the weekends so I considered myself a social drinker. When I lost my virginity at the age of 20, as a result of over drinking, I believe I slowly began to change. Profanity was very prevalent in my daily language. I started picking up very bad habits. However, I did graduate from college with good grades.
Post-college was a realization that it was time to venture into the real world. I was purchasing my first car and applying to work in the school system. In August, 2006, I started teaching which was the best thing to ever happen to me. I moved into my first apartment in March 227. I had the career, car, and apartment and so I thought I was on the right track.
I never knew I would be the person with everything going right in her life, and would stumble upon detour. In December 2007, after my 24th birthday, I started drinking everyday; being lat on my bills and responsibilities. I couldn't accept that I was an alcoholic until October 2008 when I finally had a wake up call. I have always tried to walk in the right path but now this experience has caused me to be humble. I need to be more accepting to those around me. I know in my heart that this is not a detour but more of a learning experience. I am destined to be the best.
My Story
Jasmine T.
God works in mysterious ways and you never know what he has in stored for you. My education has always been important to me and after I graduated from college in 2005, I noticed a change in myself that wasn't necessarily an optimistic change. School was always a scapegoat for me and a co-dependent. I always received good grades and went to one of the best high schools in Baltimore City. Deep inside thought, I always thought I didn't deserve anything because I didn't want to be perceived as a snob. "No one wants to be friends with a college snob who speaks good English," is what I thought.
because all my never's became true. I said, "I would never get high if I became pregnant." I said, "I would never use IV drugs." I said, "I would never sell my body for drugs." Well, I did everything I said I would never do. I did. All of it. I've also hurt my family and caused them so much pain. I just want to thank my higher power for sending me to jail. That started my process to a new way of life the judge court ordered me to go into drug treatment. I decided I did not want to go back to the old people, places, and things that I was used to. Well, I'm going to call her my angel. She helped me get into The Light of Truth Center. My angel is a big blessing to me. I got the opportunity to focus more on my recovery. I'm getting to learn more about myself through the education about my disease of addiction. I've learned how to start coping with my feelings and emotions today without the use of drugs. I'm building healthier relationships, especially with my family. I have a great network and sponsor to help me through this process. I have to let the addict who is still suffering know this process really works. I was in active addiction for 33 years of my life. I never thought it was possible. I will have 1 year clean and sober January 28, 2009. I take it one day at a time and keep it simple. The first time I heard those slogans and really listened to them was from my angel. She really does not how much she has helped me. Thank you God for putting her in my life. I just want to let everyone know that if you want it, really want recovery, it is possible.
Maria
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We are here to be of service. Every woman that comes to our door deserves a chance for a better life. Won't you help us help them? No gift is too big or too small. All gifts go directly to support the women in the center. You gifts are tax-deductible and assist us in building lives from the inside-out!
Thank You!
I let heroin and cocaine take full control over my life. My diet included a 50 cents Little Debbie cake every 2 days, because my drugs were more important to me then even eating. I weighed only 85 lbs. Now, I weigh 165lbs. They feed me very well here, most importantly, it is the love I receive from the Center, they lead me in the right direction to keep my recovery possible. I go to meetings every day. I see a counselor for mental health. I also go to aftercare, which teaches me about recovery and how to stay that way. They have the right connections to help you. This program puts a lot of effort into each and every individual. I have been in other recovery houses and failed to stay clean. I have a lot of structure here in which helps a great deal with my recovery. It is a loss to other addicts that cannot have the opportunity to cross the path of The Light of truth Center. If they could, like me, they might be able to survive and live a normal life. I am very blessed and very grateful. I have serious health issues due to my addiction but now I can face them, without wanting to get high or giving up. Now, I just take one day at a time. I have a new family and a new life. It feels good to wake up every day normal and to be able just to do simple things that I took for granted. All thanks to The Light of Truth Center.
Sincerely, Samantha
Webmaster: GI-R-GI Creations by CLM
It is with the greatest pleasure and honor that I acknowledge the work and commitment of the founder of The Light of Truth Center, Inc. I am a former resident of LTC. I resided at the Center, which became my home, for 14 months.
I believe that it was my good fortune that I was totally blessed to be able to reside at The Light of Truth Center. During that 14 month period I truly recovered a missing piece of my soul. I was given the opportunity to be still, to focus completely on myself, to address personal demons that had brought me to a point in my life that I felt I could not go on.
Having a place like The Light of Truth Center, Inc. changed my life. I am now pursuing my GED, I am presently employed at Morgan University, and have been reunited with my husband. LTC helped me to pick up the pieces of my life and put it back together again.
There are no words to describe the admiration and love that I have for Vaile Leonard. Her unconditional love and belief in me moved me to a point where I believed that I was worthy. Her dedication, perseverance, and commitment to helping other women reclaim themselves is remarkable. I cannot thank the Light of Truth Center, Inc. enough because they saw something in me that I did not see in myself…and they still do.
Without The Light of Truth Center, Inc., I would not be where I am today.
Donna PFrom Resident to House Manager to Board Member
I welcome this opportunity to express my gratitude and thankfulness for The Light of Truth Center, Inc.
I would like to personally thank Vaile Leonard for allowing me to be at the Center. October of this year will mark my two-year anniversary with being at LTC. In the time that I have been here I have accomplished more than I thought possible. I have:
Completed my aftercare program
Graduated from computer school
Received Certification as Food Service Manager
Able to get my license back and now have a car
When I first arrived at the Center, it was stipulated that as part of the program, I would need to get a sponsor. I had no idea what a sponsor was or did. Today, I have a Sponsor, (someone who guides me through the 12-step process) as well as a whole new Sponsee family (other women who are in the recovery process and also have Sponsors). So we now have Sponsor/Sponsee family day at the Center, which gives me the opportunity to be a little more approachable and open to other people.
I have also been afforded the opportunity to travel. It was a privilege to have gone to the biggest NA convention around – the Ocean City NA Convention held in April of this year. It was astounding and overwhelming to see other people in recovery from all walks of life and ethnic groups. It opened my eyes to see that I’m not in this thing alone and LTC is opening my eyes to the beauty of life.
Vaile Leonard believed enough in me to ask if I would become The Light of Truth Centers House Manager. This position is giving me the skills and tools that I need to learn how to deal with other people. I’m learning how to handle explosive situations that I would have run away from before. I’m learning to be non-judgmental. Now I stand on principle and know that with a firm hand and a listening heart, anything can be diffused I’m learning to believe in myself.
Workshops are part of the programs that LTC offers and I’m thankful for them. Each workshop gives me a broader view and outlook on life. I’m learning to get in touch with my past, learning to trust my inner voice, learning to express myself and valuing my worth, and expanding my way of thinking on spirituality.
I wouldn’t trade places with anyone else in another recovery house at this point in my life. LTC is giving me the opportunity to meet very loving and kind people like Vaile, Constance, Yoma, (Counselor) and Natalie. LTC is helping me to fulfill my dreams by doing things I could not or would not have done while in active addiction. I’m able to see a brighter future and look forward to giving back – in anyway I can. This I have received from LTC – that each one – reach one. I’m glad to be where I am today. I would recommend LTC to anyone who wants recovery.
Respectfully yours, Christine Moore, LTC House Manager, July 2004
Light of Truth Center Board Member
I was glad to be a part of The Light of Truth Center as a resident and House Manager. I have been given so much and it only seems natural that I give back.
I look forward to serving as a member of the Board of Directors. Serving in any capacity is a gift. I feel truly privileged and honored to have been asked to be a part of an organization that supported me in getting my life back.
When I look back on my life and see just how far I’ve come, I am amazed. To be where I am now, knowing the road I traveled, I embrace The Light of Truth Center with my whole heart. I welcome any opportunity to be able to give back half of what I received.
Respectfully,
Christine Moore, December 2006
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Rosalind
> To: info@lightoftruthcenter.org
> > Sent: Tue, 16 Nov 2010 10:21:01 -0800 (PST)
> Subject: Gratitude to Vaile and the Light of Truth Center
>
> Hi Vaile
>>
> I just wanted to thank you once again for all of your help that you gave me while I was at the Light of Truth. I really miss you and all of the staff. In addition words cannot explain my gratitude. The Light of Truth saved my life on that cold day of February 1, 2005 and I never looked back. Since then my life have changed threw GOD's grace. Today I attend college as a full time student; I work as a nurse and still do service works for God on a daily bases. I have become a better mother, daughter and grand mother. It feels good to be on the other side because I thought I was going to die to the streets but, God hade another plan for my life. I have good and bad days but, when I look over my life I can find gratitude in the bad days because I must take the good with the bad in order to appreciate the lesson that God is showing me. Vaile you will always hold a special place in my life and I will never forget you. I keep you close to my heart threw prayer. You’re my angle because a true angle is a quiet friend who lifts your feet when your wings have trouble remembering how to fly. Tell Constance I said hello and I love you both.
>
>> Rosalind
>> November16, 2010/>> 12:49p.m
Email Message recently received from Past Resident
