Meet Bonnie.

Bonnie grew up in a large family where drinking, smoking, and partying were simply part of everyday life. It wasn’t until her late thirties that she began her own struggle with addiction. With two children at home, a full-time job, and a husband who also battled addiction, life felt overwhelming. She remembers reaching a point where she thought, “I can’t do this anymore.”

To cope, she began doing what she saw others around her doing. She started using drugs. At first it felt like a superpower because it gave her the energy she thought she needed for work and daily life. She always made sure she had a supply of pills, yet it was never enough. If she didn’t have any, she felt completely unable to function.

During this time, Bonnie also experienced homelessness. While staying at a women’s crisis centre, she heard for the first time about the love of God. Still, the pain in her life kept pulling her back into substance use as a way to cope.

In October 2024, Bonnie entered the Women’s Addiction Recovery Program at Harvest House Atlantic. During her time there, she began full-time studies toward her Canadian Adult Education Credential and successfully completed the Women’s Recovery Program in July 2025.

Today, Bonnie is living in Rising Tide housing and is working toward earning her GED. She is actively seeking employment and gives back by volunteering at the Harvest House Chapel. She regularly attends prayer meetings and stays closely connected with the community as she continues her journey of healing and transformation.

Bonnie shares, “Now that I am clean, and I look back on my life from childhood to now, I can see how much Jesus has been there for me.”

“My name is Bonnie, and I am a believer in Jesus Christ.”

**This story reflects the personal perspective of the participant and does not necessarily represent the views of Harvest House Atlantic or other individuals mentioned. Shared with permission.