The Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange Healthcare Foundation provides support to the Good Shepherd Gracenter in San Francisco for transitional housing for women in recovery.
Founded by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd 63 years ago, Gracenter assists women like Miki, who started using substances at age 13. After many years of prostitution, arrests, homelessness, and toxic relationships, she entered recovery and then found Gracenter.
Miki shares: “Gracenter helped build my self-sufficiency. Gracenter meeting me where I was is what has meant the most to me. I have been at the same job for almost three years, and I’ve gotten promoted four times. I met a man who is also in recovery. I now live with him; he is my partner and the father of my newborn son. My son is my biggest blessing in recovery. When I was active in my addiction, I didn’t think I would be able to be a mom or even get pregnant. I don’t know what my life would look like if I hadn’t been at Gracenter. They were a part of creating my family, and I am so grateful.”