The Terry Family Story

With addiction they lost everything, but love held them together through it all.

 

Melissa and Jack were married in 2004 and bought their first home that same year. They both had excellent jobs, and Jack had been working as a union laborer within the same company for 9 years. Unfortunately, Jack was injured at work and started to see a pain management specialist, which was the beginning of their downward spiral. Jack was laid off due to his injury and the family started getting behind on their bills. The financial issues caused a lot of stress and both Jack and Melissa took medication to numb the emotional pain. Their home was eventually foreclosed upon and their vehicles were repossessed. In December 2009, Jack and Melissa's parents turned them into OHS and their 3-year-old son, Nicholas, was taken from their care.

 

Jack and Melissa were in several short-term treatment centers but as soon as they completed the various programs, they relapsed. In 2011, Melissa found out that she was pregnant and she realized she was at rock bottom. She realized she needed to take the road of recovery seriously and she wanted her family back. Melissa resided at the House of Mercy for over a year, and Jack resided at Bridges of Iowa for the same amount of time. They regained custody of Nicholas and their second son, Nathan,was born in July of 2012. After successfully completing both programs separately, it was time to start being a family again together.

 

In March of 2013, the family moved into a duplex in the Home Connection Program. Since being in the Home Connection Program, Jack and Melissa have been attending marital counseling and working towards improving their finances. They are wonderful parents who are working very hard to create a better future for themselves and their two sons. They enjoy doing fun things together as a family such as reading,swimming and going to the park.

 

They have both enrolled in college at DMACC as nontraditional students. Melissa is studying for her Associate's Degree in Human Services. She has the desire to work as a substance abuse counselor and help mothers who are struggling with addiction. Jack is majoring in Criminal Justice and wants to work in corrections helping troubled youth. In spite of nearly losing everything, they still have each other, their family, and have realized what is truly important.

 

"The Home Connection program is the perfect program for anyone who is serious about turning their life around and getting back on their feet!  We are honored to be a part of this program!"
-Jack & Melissa Terry