My Story: Yvette

A STORY OF REDEMPTION AND RESTORATION

My parents struggled with heroin addiction, and my mother used the drug during her pregnancies with my brother and me. We were each born with it in our system and not expected to live.

My great aunt convinced my father it was best that she take care of us. She took us to a church so the leaders could pray over us.

I believe the faith of our great aunt carried us to the altar, and I know it was the miracle-working power of God that kept us alive. Despite all that my brother and I experienced through our childhood, we both have married, raised children, led successful careers, and best of all, have a personal relationship with the Lord.

THE SEARCH FOR STABILITY

Although Christmas is normally a time when children wake up to family, food, and gifts under the tree, I remember a number of holidays where we had no loving family surrounding us. We had no delicious aromas coming from the kitchen or festive presents waiting under the tree. Mom had left, so we grew up without her around. Those early years were difficult.

One Christmas stands out in my memory. Church volunteers knocked on our door, bringing gifts for my brother and for me. My father, who was incarcerated, had signed us up for Prison Fellowship^® Angel Tree. The volunteers may not have realized they were bringing more than gifts; they also brought good tidings to children who needed something good to rejoice over.

Angel Tree was my first memorable introduction to a church. I was 3 or 4 years old when I received my first Angel Tree gift, a Raggedy Ann doll. My brother received a jack-in-the-box. Our gifts were so awesome. I held on to my Raggedy Ann for dear life because I was told it came from my daddy. Even when I didn’t have him, I had the gift and the message from him. He had not forgotten about us and wanted to make sure we knew he was thinking of us and loved us.

Throughout our childhood, as dad was trying to hold down jobs, be free from his addiction, and in and out of jail, we lived in about 20 different homes. Some were inviting and loving; others not so much.

A PLACE TO BELONG

In middle school, I was searching for a sense of love and belonging. When I was 11, I became the leader of a neighborhood gang called the Sweetcakes, although there was nothing sweet about us.

We all had some sort of family trauma and wanted to feel a part of something. Being the leader made me feel in control of some part of my life. The kids at school gave me my space because I was so mean. I would fight at the drop of a hat—the same way I had seen people deal with conflict at home.

One day, I beat a girl so badly that she ended up in the hospital. That incident could have sent me to juvenile detention, but the girl’s parents decided not to press charges. I believe God used their decision to help my life take a new direction because, soon after that, I attended a youth revival service.

At that service, which took place at the same church where my brother and I were prayed over as babies, I heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Many of my gang friends, and some people I hadn’t treated kindly in the past, were at this revival. By the end, we all found ourselves at the altar together, giving our lives to Christ.

Something about the Gospel message really drew me in, especially the part about our heavenly Father who loves us. I now had a place where I belonged, without any form of abuse or abandonment. From that night on, I aspired to be a missionary for Christ and never looked back. I told all my friends and family about this Christ who loves us so deeply.

FINDING NEW DIRECTION

After I received Christ, His transforming power changed my heart. I no longer wanted to fight. I had no desire to cuss or to do drugs or alcohol. I leaned on God’s Word for comfort and hope. Even when I felt forgotten by my own parents, this Scripture became my life's theme: “Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me” (Psalm 27:10).

The church became my community and safe place. My brother and I walked for miles to be at youth events and services. God provided caring adults for my brother and I there, at school, and with some family members on my dad’s side, who made sure we ate breakfast, combed our hair, and stayed enrolled in extracurricular activities. The support of these kind adults outweighed so much of the chaos often at home. I wanted to become like them and have a family and children like theirs, without trauma.

Following Christ gave me the courage to choose a future career. I knew at an early age that I wanted to work with young people who came from backgrounds like mine. I wanted them to know Christ and to believe they could have a bright future.

PURPOSE AND PROFESSIONAL IMPACT

Following college, my career choices reflected my deep desire to help young people flourish.

For thirteen years I served as Executive Director at the YMCA of Central New Mexico. Later, I worked for the governor’s office, advocating for the education, health, wellness, and equal rights of African American communities across New Mexico and Lusaka.

My next position was with the Albuquerque Public School District, managing partnerships with after-school and mentorship programs to secure proper funding and training, while ensuring young people had access to transformative opportunities.

OPENING DOORS FOR OTHERS

I serve today as a senior partnerships manager for Prison Fellowship Angel Tree. My team works with amazing nonprofit leaders to ensure Angel Tree kids can access life-transforming programs at no cost. We help provide opportunities in the areas of college readiness, career exploration, mentorship, tutoring, after-school enrichment, and so much more.

So much of Prison Fellowship’s work helps lead to restored families. I love Angel Tree’s focus of connecting kids to churches and sending the message from the incarcerated family member that they’re thinking about you and love you.

My husband and I, along with the congregation we lead, have served Angel Tree families for four years now. Starting with a gift for the child from their incarcerated loved one, we have helped draw these families close, providing them with back-to-school supplies, backpacks, haircuts, and more—including a presentation of the Gospel.

Some Angel Tree families are now members of our church, and God is transforming the lives of their children and families for generations to come.

A FAMILY RESTORED

My husband and I are getting ready to celebrate 26 years of marriage this December. I’m so blessed with this man of God. We first met at church when we were 15. Though life took us in different directions for a while, we eventually found our way back to each other.

I’d already had my little girl by that time; he and my daughter hit it off right away and are still really close. I wanted him to meet my father before we got married. When it was time to get engaged, I took my then-fiancé to ask for my hand in marriage.

At the time, my dad was incarcerated in a low-security facility. The three of us sat in a conference room, and the prison made us feel very welcome.

My dad said to my then-fiancé, “I honor the fact that you were man enough to come and visit me here.”

It was a beautiful moment when my dad gave us his blessing. I made that visit because of Angel Tree. That first Angel Tree gift from my daddy had opened my heart many years before, and now it’s incredible to see what God has done for my family. For years to come, my husband and I would make sure my dad was taken care of, and he was able to have a relationship with his granddaughter.

To every child, parent, or leader who reads this: The story is not over. The pen of the Lord is still writing. Stand in the gap, build the bridge, and believe again. Your obedience to love, serve, and forgive will unlock someone else’s freedom.

May this testimony be a decree: No person is beyond redemption, no family is beyond repair, and no child is beyond the reach of God’s love.