Finding Home at Calvary
We asked Maddison, one of our college students on campus to write a little bit about her Calvary Home journey. She’s only been with us for a little over a year and in that year, she found something she never thought possible: a home.
When I first came to Calvary Home, I didn’t realize that it would be my forever home. Since the age of 15, I haven’t considered anywhere that I’ve lived to be my “home”, but that changed when I arrived on January 12th, 2024.
Before I came to Calvary Home, I was in a group home in Columbia, SC. I was there for little over a year, and it was one of the worst years of my life. I lived in a house with 13 other girls who were constantly coming and going. There were always fights breaking out and disturbances in the home. So much so, that during the summer of 2023, the police were called at least 20 times. However, the kids weren’t the only bad part, some of the staff that worked there weren’t that great. During my time there, the group home was put under investigation 3 different times for child neglect.
When I lived there, I was overweight, and the staff made rude comments about it; some just straight up called me fat. Whenever we were going through a mental health crisis, they would tell us to go sit in our rooms and stay to ourselves instead of trying to help us. All of that changed when I came to Calvary.
The first thought in my mind when I pulled into campus was, ‘this looks like a real neighborhood’, which was a relief. When I first met my mom, Hannah Applewhite, I immediately felt calm, which was probably the first time I felt that way in a long time. I only went to Calvary for a trial visit over the weekend, but I never left. I felt like I belonged there.
Since arriving at Calvary, I’ve done so many things I thought were never going to happen for me. I’ve graduated high school and am now in college. I have my driver’s license and was able to buy my own car. I have a job and I’m in the best headspace now. I have such a great community that helps me and pushes me to do the best I can.
Recently, I got adopted by my mom, which I never thought I would ever find a mother like her. She loves me unconditionally and really helps me to be a better person. I thank God every day for bringing me here. He really knew I was at such a low point, and He brought me to the best place He possibly could. Calvary Home really has changed my life, and I appreciate everyone who is a part of our community. You help kids turn their lives completely around, make them better people, and give them a better future.
