Cathy woke up in the hospital with zero recollection of the events that occurred the night before. Except intentionally swallowing a bunch of pills with vodka. She was told that she had thrown a cup and struck her husband in the face. She jumped on his back in a rage, creating a deep scratch on the back of his neck.

Woman Can Be Abusive

Cathy was arrested and charged with Assault IV Domestic Violence. She spent five days in jail. Cathy didn’t think she could ever change. She tried everything, even suicide. In jail, Cathy cried out to God with honest pleas for help and a sense of calmness came over her that she had never felt before. Cathy researched and found the ARMS website. She entered the Virtue program which was court-approved.

“That first day I walked into a room broken. My heart was  full of confusion, shame, guilt, and loneliness. I was greeted by my group leader, a soft spoken, gentle woman. She made me feel welcomed. I didn’t feel any judgment from her. Only compassion.”

Cathy had completed five rehabs, was hospitalized in a psychiatric unit, read tons of self-help books, and attended motivational seminars in the past 25 years. She desperately wanted to change. “I don’t have the words to describe how I feel today. Except WOW! Virtue has filled my toolbox with tools that actually work! It has given me tools to respond instead of react. I don’t have to be that person who goes at others with a vengeful attitude. To make them experience pain when I’m feeling hurt or not getting my way. I don’t have to let other people’s actions control me anymore.”

She Wanted to Change Her Abusive Behavior

Virtue taught Cathy how to create healthy boundaries and respect the boundaries of others. She didn’t even know what boundaries were before Virtue. “Now I believe I am valued by God and deserve to be treated with respect. Virtue has taught me the true meaning of forgiveness. Its an area I work on daily, and have already begun to experience the benefits of forgiving others. Forgiveness has set me free from anger and resentment over actions and events.”

Today, Cathy is not trying to control the needs of others. The Virtue program has given her a new beginning. And an opportunity to live a life she never imagined possible; full of happiness and joy. A heart that walked in through the door, full of confusion, filled with shame and guilt is now being filled daily with God’s love and truth.

We need your help to keep our programs going! Please considering donating today!