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(Memphis 11/25/2009) It's that time of year when we start seeing the Salvation Army's red kettles set up all around the Mid-South. If you ever wondered where your money was going, we have the answer. Women in Memphis, like Angela Sturdevant, are being helped by your donations.
Angela Sturdevant is not the woman she used to be. At 47, she has kicked the habit that controlled her life for nearly 40 years. By the time she was just 8 years old, Angela was using drugs and alcohol.
"I was drinking beer behind aunts and uncles, smoking cigarettes and smoking weed," said Sturdevant.
Her addiction would eventually spiral out of control. She started doing cocaine, using needles, and smoking crack. The only drug she says she hasn't done is heroin. Drugs would be the reason why she would spend three years behind bars. In prison, she became sober but months after she was released Angela's mother died, sending her back down the addiction path.
"I went right back out to using again and what they say is that it gets worse every time. It gets way worse."
Homeless, Angela entered the Salvation Army program. She worked it for three months but ended up back on the streets. By this time she had enough, "I said look I need some help. I'm tired. I'm too old for this life."
Angela was able to get back into Salvation Army's Grace House, she's now at the Center of Hope and has been sober for three years.
"I tell them all the time you made me army strong, Salvation Army strong. If it was not for the Salvation Army I wouldn't know where I would be because they are my support. They are my backbone," said Sturdevant.
Angela is now in school at Hi-Tech studying medical billing and coding. She will graduate in May. She's also been she'll be accepted into the supportive housing program by Christmas.
- Salvation Army Success Story
- Red Kettle Campaign Money Goes To Local Women
- Angela Sturdevant Drug Free
(Memphis 11/25/2009) It's that time of year when we start seeing the Salvation Army's red kettles set up all around the Mid-South. If you ever wondered where your money was going, we have the answer. Women in Memphis, like Angela Sturdevant, are being helped by your donations.
Angela Sturdevant is not the woman she used to be. At 47, she has kicked the habit that controlled her life for nearly 40 years. By the time she was just 8 years old, Angela was using drugs and alcohol.
"I was drinking beer behind aunts and uncles, smoking cigarettes and smoking weed," said Sturdevant.
Her addiction would eventually spiral out of control. She started doing cocaine, using needles, and smoking crack. The only drug she says she hasn't done is heroin. Drugs would be the reason why she would spend three years behind bars. In prison, she became sober but months after she was released Angela's mother died, sending her back down the addiction path.
"I went right back out to using again and what they say is that it gets worse every time. It gets way worse."
Homeless, Angela entered the Salvation Army program. She worked it for three months but ended up back on the streets. By this time she had enough, "I said look I need some help. I'm tired. I'm too old for this life."
Angela was able to get back into Salvation Army's Grace House, she's now at the Center of Hope and has been sober for three years.
"I tell them all the time you made me army strong, Salvation Army strong. If it was not for the Salvation Army I wouldn't know where I would be because they are my support. They are my backbone," said Sturdevant.
Angela is now in school at Hi-Tech studying medical billing and coding. She will graduate in May. She's also been she'll be accepted into the supportive housing program by Christmas.
