Success Stories: Transforming Lives at WellSpring
At WellSpring, we’re not just providing shelter; we’re providing hope, resources, and a pathway to a brighter future. Our success stories are the heart of our mission, and they show the incredible resilience of individuals and families who have overcome homelessness with the help of our programs. One of these inspiring stories is that of Celia and Cody, whose journey from homelessness to homeownership is a testament to the power of second chances.
Homeless to Homeowner – A WellSpring Success Story
In 2002, Celia and her husband, Cody, found themselves in a heartbreaking situation. On a chilly autumn night, they huddled together in their old Blazer, parked in the driveway of Cody’s parents’ home. Their 8-year-old daughter, Destiny, was inside, safe and warm. But Celia and Cody were battling drug addictions, and despite repeated efforts, staying in the house had failed time and time again. They were homeless.
Celia had stopped using drugs—she was pregnant. Cody wanted to stop too. They didn’t know where to turn next, but they had one last hope: WellSpring. An emergency shelter apartment was available for them, and they took it.
When Celia and Cody moved into WellSpring, they found much more than just a roof over their heads. They found a community that believed in them and cheered them on. They had access to a food pantry, counseling, budgeting classes, and clothing vouchers for job interviews. Most importantly, they were no longer alone. They had the support they needed to rebuild their lives.
They took full advantage of the resources available to them and set a goal to move into HopeSpring, WellSpring’s longer-term housing program. Within 30 days, Cody found a better job, and the family moved into HopeSpring, where they were able to reunite with Destiny and reconnect with their parents.
After 1 ½ years at HopeSpring, Celia and Cody’s new goal was to rent a home. With Cody working as a driver for a concrete company and Celia working at the YMCA, they achieved their goal. They now had three children, a stable home, and were closer to God and each other than ever before. Life was good.
However, in 2022, Celia received a diagnosis that shook their world. She had leukemia. This diagnosis sent Cody into a deep depression, and Destiny, now a teenager, was grieving the recent loss of her biological father to a drug overdose. Despite these hardships, Celia refused to give up. She continued home chemotherapy every night, and both she and Cody kept working.
Destiny graduated from high school with honors in May and was accepted into six colleges. She decided to pursue a nursing degree and is currently attending Butler University. After ten years of overcoming obstacles, Celia and Cody were overjoyed to buy their first home in December 2022. And, in a moment of great hope, Celia’s PCR test came back showing that she was considered cancer-free.
WellSpring was there for Celia and Cody when no one else could or would be. But their strength came from within, and they leaned on their faith. Celia now teaches an online Bible study at her church and has shared her story for the first time at a YMCA Recovery night, inspiring others to never give up and to ask for help.
Celia is also thriving in her career, working with special needs children, and she’s started her own small business, Pressed With Purpose. And there’s still more to come. Celia and Cody’s ultimate dream is to build a home on the two acres given to them by Cody’s parents, where they can live off the land, raise animals, and, most importantly, create a home for their children that will never know the hardship of homelessness.
Celia’s journey from homelessness to homeownership is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit. She now serves on the Board of Directors at WellSpring, sharing her lived experiences to help make the organization stronger and more inclusive. Her story is a testament to the transformative power of hope, faith, and community support.
At WellSpring, we are honored to be part of these incredible journeys, and we are committed to continuing our mission of providing shelter, resources, and a path to stability for those in need. With the support of individuals like Celia and Cody, we know that we can keep changing lives, one story at a time.
