PRESS CHRISTMAS FOR ALL: ‘Reunited with the Lord’
This is the story of a young woman who rebuilt her life after addiction and incarceration and now helps others who face the same struggles.
“Olivia” grew up with an abusive father. Even after her dad went to prison for domestic abuse, her home life was chaotic.
“By the time I was a teenager, I was getting into a lot of trouble,” she said.
She began drinking and using illegal drugs as a teen and had frequent brushes with the law. At age 21, she received a prison sentence for felony possession of a controlled substance.
After her release, Olivia was determined to get back on track. She entered the Job Corps in Boise and was trained in industrial painting, which she hoped would be her career.
She also became a certified wildland firefighter — the only woman on her crew. It’s one of the achievements she’s most proud of.
“Putting out wildfires is very dangerous, but the efforts of saving a forest were well worth it,” she said.
A diagnosis of congestive heart failure wrecked Olivia’s plans for the future. She was hospitalized for a month and lost her job as a result, leaving her unable to afford her medication.
“Doctors told me I would need a heart transplant to live,” she said.
Soon after, Olivia learned her mom was dying. She left everything behind in Boise and got on a plane to Coeur d’Alene, so she could be with her mom in her final days. The loss caused Olivia to spiral back into addiction.
“As soon as she passed away, I moved to Spokane and started drinking and using,” she said.
Olivia went back to prison at age 25. But while incarcerated, she stayed sober and began working through her grief over her mom.
“My health was getting better, and I was reunited with the Lord,” she said.
She knew she would need a safe, supportive place to go after her release from prison. She’d heard of Union Gospel Mission’s recovery program and asked her case manager to reach out.
“I was able to get released to Union Gospel Mission and since coming here, I’ve been doing really well,” she said.
While going through the program, Olivia faced another obstacle. She needed extensive dental work.
“I had a lot of teeth that were just decaying in my mouth,” she said. “I was in so much pain.”
After a recommendation from UGM, Olivia paid $200 toward the dental work and Christmas for All paid the rest.
The timing was perfect. Olivia had just started working at the UGM thrift store but was trying to save enough money to move into her own apartment.
“Without those funds, I wouldn’t have been able to get my teeth taken care of,” she said. “They were so bad.”
Olivia completed UGM’s recovery program in September. She still works in the thrift store and is about to be promoted to a management position. She also helps facilitate classes at UGM.
“I’ve come full circle and now I’m giving back to the ministry,” she said. “God’s doing big things for me to help others.”
Olivia said Christmas for All gave her a hand up when she needed it most.
“I appreciate that the community can see people and the work they’re doing and want to help,” she said.
Coeur d’Alene is a generous community, Olivia said, and not just financially.
“There was a time, when my mom passed away, that I wanted to be anywhere but here,” she said. “But I’m so blessed to be back in this community and be happy.”
Each year, Press readers generously donate to Press Christmas for All. Every penny raised is distributed to Kootenai County residents. All overhead costs are covered by The Hagadone Corporation.
The gift recipients are our neighbors including families with young children, the elderly, people with disabilities, veterans, the homeless and those with mental illnesses. Many who seek assistance from Christmas for All are working but unable to make ends meet, especially with the dramatic increase in the cost of living in Kootenai County.
Beneficiaries of Press Christmas for All keep their dignity while the community provides a hand-up to help get them back on their feet. They are asked to pitch in a little bit toward their award to remind them of their capacity and resourcefulness. The “co-pay” is small and calculated on a sliding scale of income, but ensures these neighbors actively participate in their award.
Press Christmas for All is managed by The Hagadone Corp., with assistance from CharityReimagined.Org. Christmas for All is a legally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Here are four ways to donate:
• Mail a check to Press Christmas for All, 215 N. Second St., Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814
• Call The Press and make a secure credit card donation over the phone: 208-664-8176
• Visit cdapress.com. Click on Christmas for All and make a secure, online donation.
• Drop off your check at The Press weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.: 215 N. Second St. in downtown Coeur d'Alene.
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