Essays: From the Streets: Melissa - Magdalene House

Melissa - Magdalene House

My name is Melissa. I was on the streets for 7 ½ years. I hitchhiked from Oklahoma in 2001 and came to Nashville. I was already introduced to prostitution in 2001. I just couldn’t find my way. I wanted to start over, but it was like, everywhere I went there was drugs or there was liquor, or there was prostitution, so I just kind of fell into it. I didn’t want to do it. I don’t know why I did it.

I guess I did it because I was feeling all of these feelings from my past. I was abused and I have resentments against that, and some of the stuff I’m still workin’ through. But that’s basically my story. My story is very simple, but very brutal.

You have a choice today, you don’t have to do the things you were doing. There are other ways to deal with stuff inside your head.

When I came in the program I could be myself, I didn’t have to be someone else, like I have been in other programs. You can express yourself, you don’t have to hide nothin’. Magdalene hides nothing.

If you really want to stay clean you can because this program offers everything. Offers mental help, physical help, spiritual, if you want to go to church. This is the best program I’ve ever been in in my life.