“I grew up questioning why I didn’t have a better life.” Born into a chaotic environment where both parents battled addiction, Autumn was deprived of attention, guidance and essentials, and she endured bouts of physical abuse. “I went to school with bruises,” she recalls. “I was bullied a lot for not having nice clothes or the right school supplies.” Yet she loved her mother dearly. At 10 years old, when the woman died in her [...]

Throughout his adult years, Ruben struggled with negativity and self-degradation, the source of which he never understood. “I was never thinking positive,” he says. “By always doubting myself, I didn’t allow myself to look forward. I thought I was gonna always be at the bottom.” His self-defeating attitude led to broken relationships, substance abuse, struggles with employment and even bouts of homelessness. Finally, one day, as he saw his gaunt reflection in a cracked and [...]

“I owned a home at one point. I had my family. I had a good job.”  But all that changed when Diane met a man who said he loved her but began to control all aspects of her life – where she went, what she wore, who she spoke with, how she spent every penny. “I did have jobs, off and on, but every time I got paid, he would take the money.” Over time, [...]

Richard began hanging out with an older crowd – adopting their destructive habits – when he was only 11. His father had left home years earlier, forcing his mother to work several jobs, leaving Richard and his siblings with little supervision. “I started at a very young age to do things normal kids wouldn’t – using and getting into trouble.” He dropped out of school and his substance abuse escalated. Unsuccessful at overcoming his addiction, [...]