Nikki (center) is grateful for the love and support she has received while in program.

Nikki has never been in the same place for long. She was on the run for years, making her way from California to Canada to Mexico to escape those who wanted to do her harm. “I was the victim of human trafficking, of domestic violence, of sexual assault, of all of it,” Nikki shared.

Nikki recalled one particular incident: After her family lost their home, they had nowhere else to go. With no help or resources, they were forced to sleep in a tent at the river bottom. Nikki was attacked by four men. Luckily, she was rescued by their neighbor, a woman, who jumped in to stop the assault.

But Nikki knew she wasn’t safe. She began to move from shelter to shelter. Eventually, she married and had two daughters, but when they divorced, Nikki was once again unhoused, and her children went with their father. “I started using methamphetamines and alcohol. I was just running the border lines, going from state to state. When I was in the streets, everything just hit the fan. I was trying to find somewhere safe.”

Finding herself in San Diego, Nikki connected with a resource center. It was there that she found out about the Lighthouse. Believing it was the best solution for her, she decided to do whatever it took to get there. She donated plasma to raise the money for her ticket.

After a six-hour train ride, Nikki finally found safety at the Lighthouse. “It’s more of a home than a shelter or program. I knew this place could help me get off drugs and alcohol. It’s amazing,” said Nikki, who has been sober since Jan. 15. “I felt very welcomed. I’ve gotten really close with my case manager. It’s just so easy to talk to them.

“When I first got here, I was driving on fear a lot. I was in survival mode. Being here I’m safe. It’s been a blessing. I’m healing a lot.”

Nikki credits the volunteer-led art and domestic violence classes for helping her begin to process and heal from her lifelong trauma. “They know exactly what I’ve gone through, and they help me put it into words that I can relate with. There’s power in naming things, so to know what I went through was physical abuse or emotional abuse or spiritual abuse helped me a lot.”

In fact, her domestic violence instructor, Alyssa, has agreed to be her mentor while in program. “It’s amazing. I thank all the volunteers who spend time with us ladies. Their teachings have changed and shaped our lives for the better. We are brightening up, because a lot of us have been in self-destruct mode. The love and the time they give us makes us want to turn things around.”

Due to a traumatic head-injury, Nikki suffers memory loss. Although she “knew God” before the program, she’s relishing in the chance to “re-awaken” her faith. The Bible studies help her relearn and retain some of her favorite verses. Like John 8:32: “Tell the truth and the truth shall set you free,” and Proverbs 3:8: “Do not lean on your own understanding.”

“To me, this means as long as I stay on the path, being true to myself and true to God, no one can touch me or put me down,” she explained. “I might not understand everything that happens, but I know it will all unravel and reveal itself in due time, as long as you put in the work and have faith.”

After graduation, Nikki plans to enter the Transitional Living Program. She’s focusing on creating a healthy, strong foundation for when she regains her independence. She also hopes to get stable housing so that she can reunite with her two daughters.

Nikki prays her story helps and encourages other women who are struggling and looking for somewhere safe to go. “When I first came to the Lighthouse, I was a total wreck. My life was a literal nightmare. Since I’ve been here, I don’t think about my past as much. It’s no longer a daily thought like it was before. I’ve had to go through some hard healing.

“Being around love all the time has made it all endurable. I’m not in turmoil anymore. The love the ladies shared, the love that I received, was the type of love that I was looking for. I have the Lighthouse to thank for that.”