HOPE STORIES
TIFFANY BAUDIER
Tiffany’s mom was an addict. At 5 years old she remembers changing her baby sister’s diapers, becoming a caregiver when she was just a baby herself. Her mom brought different men into the home, leading her and her baby sister to be sexually abused by many of them.
Malnourished, dirty and scared, they were eventually removed from the home thanks to a family member who bravely intervened… and they found themselves in foster care. She remained her sister’s stand-in mama. Through the years, the excitement and relief of a new foster home and family, and then the subsequent heartbreak of being removed from it and sent to another one led the girls to deep, complex trauma and distrust. At the age of 12, she was told she had been chosen for a forever home and was adopted.
However, when the pressure of high school arrived, combined with, her complex childhood trauma - the only way Tiffany could cope was through alcohol and drugs. One particular night, after her senior party where drugs and alcohol were in abundance, her traumatic childhood experience came back with a vengeance in the form of more sexual abuse. From there, it all began to unravel. Harder drugs, more parties. Anything to keep her from the pain. She chose the drugs over everything and everyone. With nothing but the clothes on her back, Tiffany was homeless with nowhere to go. She bounced around from here to there until one day, she miraculously met someone who finally made her feel truly loved. They had a daughter together and things were looking up… until he left for work one morning, kissed them goodbye, and never came back. That day, he was killed in a car accident. It's no surprise that she spiraled completely out of control. She lost her own daughter and became so consumed with drugs that she didn’t know who she was.
It was an arrest that saved Tiffany’s life. In the Lamar County jail is where she first caught her glimpse of Hope. By the Grace of God, she was offered drug court. It led her to recovery, and being involved with Project Hope. She has never looked back. Over the last few years, with the help of God, she has seen her life restored. She got her daughter back. Became a certified machinist at PRCC. She has a new car, a good job, and just moved into her first house. She has been baptized and she says, “it’s all by the Grace of God. He took all that pain and that trauma, and turned it into my testimony.” Tiffany is now one of our newest instructors at Project Hope, leading others who are walking that same path.
Keith had a very fun childhood with both parents present and always there for him. While he too had great parents to look up to, drugs and alcohol found their way into his life. This led to Keith losing his children, his job, self-respect, friends, and more. Child Protection Services and Drug Court led him to Project Hope where he has gained a sense of peace and purpose after giving his life to God. After allowing this change in his life, he is sober from use of drugs and alcohol, and he has gained a stronger and more intentional relationship with his wife and children. Keith feels more fulfilled in life now that he depends on God rather than substances, and describes his life as being joyful. He wants everyone to know that God is always there no matter how many times you may walk away, and all it takes is one step at a time for things to get better. He wants those who struggle with addiction to know that God loves you no matter what!
Keith & Lynn Richardson
Lynn had a wonderful childhood and a very close relationship with her family. While she had a very loving family, they were not exempt from experiencing difficult life situations and trials. Her father had several heart surgeries due to a weak heart, which devastated her. Lynn was diagnosed with lymphoma while in the 4th grade, and MD Anderson Hospital became her home while undergoing treatments.
As life unfolded, Lynn found herself in an abusive marriage for fourteen years, which led her to cope by using drugs. After her abusive husband was sent to federal prison, Lynn continued to ease her pain with drugs. This vice dominated her life for roughly 20 years, causing her to lose self-respect, hope, peace, and all of her earthly possessions, including her home. She watched a great number of opportunities pass her by while she struggled with her addiction. Eventually, Child Protective Services became involved and they led her to Project Hope.
While she lost so much in those 20 years, she gained back everything and more through her sobriety journey. She has regained self-respect, hope, peace, and found a relationship with Jesus Christ. This has changed everything for her in the best way possible. While Lynn was telling her story, she said “Life is amazing. I have given it all to God so there are no worries or anxiety. We have a new home and new vehicles. I have been given new responsibilities and a raise.” Project Hope has given Lynn resources, wisdom, fellowship, and accountability. Sherecommends Project Hope to those struggling with addiction and pain. Lynn wants others to know that there is always hope and that God can do all things!
MEET CORY…
a graduate of Project Hope Recovery & current volunteer for Hope Community Collective.
Cory - like many others - experienced extreme trauma in his early childhood years. He suffered from verbal and physical abuse. His father was absent and his mother was an addict. Sadly, some of Cory’s earliest memories consist of being beaten in the bathtub with extension cords and being called everything but his name. In order to eat, Cory had to steal food for himself and his siblings as early as 6 years old. He was forced to grow up quickly; but despite his tough exterior, there was still a little boy inside who suffered for years without healing or feeling loved.
At one point, a teacher recognized signs of physical trauma in Cory’s life. After school, he was escorted home by an officer and other adults. When questioned, his mom openly admitted to beating him and then threatened to beat the officer and school staff as well. “They left me. I was in primary school with splinters in my back, and they just left me.” Cory’s pain was deep and severe. Around age 13, Cory ran away; but no one ever came to look for him.
At age 16, Cory found himself in jail, being charged as an adult. He remembers seeing people come in from Project Hope to visit and encourage the inmates. Years later, after being wrapped up in the streets and gang life, Cory came to the realization that he was serving a man as if he was a god. Whatever the gang leaders told him to do, he did - shoot someone, steal something, sell drugs, etc.
Around age 25 Cory turned to alcohol. He had avoided drugs because he remembered what it did to his Mom and others around him. Nonetheless, he eventually lost way more to addiction than he planned: his children, freedom, confidence, motivation, and the list goes on.
Eventually, Cory had hit rock bottom and found his way to a recovery center. He was asked if there was anywhere nearby that he could go for support, and he was able to reconnect with the people from Project Hope. He graduated from the program and had these words to say: “I’ve been coming since 2022. A bunch of people come because they have to. I come because I want to. I come because it keeps me focused, straight, off the streets. I'm trying to do everything I can to not go back!”
The blessings cannot be counted, but just to name a few… since connecting with Project Hope, Cory is healthier, his marriage is happier and he has formed relationships with his children. Cory finds ways to actively give back to his community through volunteerism and has become a valuable part of the Woodlawn Church Family.
Even when thoughts of rejection or neglect creep back up, someone comes right on time to grab him by the hand and remind him that he has a family that loves, cares for and covers him. He’s never alone.
While Cory was telling his story, he was asked, “If you could tell 12-year-old Cory something, what would you say?”
His response: “Don’t give up. Stay focused. You’re not alone. Somebody loves you!”
