KILGOROUND
LINDA BALLARD

We have to call her Ms. X because of the situation she was in. She is a sweet woman; kind and considerate, and perhaps the reason she is where she is today. Because today, Ms. X has been given a second chance for a life she could only previously dream about.

You see, for the last eight months, Ms. X and her child has been living at the Crisis Center. "My situation was a little different than most," she said. "My abuser was a female and when the abuse extended to my child, I knew I had to get out.

"My background wasn't the best because it had involved drug use. I had no place to go and no job," she said. "But, the staff at the Crisis Center saw through to the real me; offered me a place as long as I stuck to the rules and set out to get me as much help as possible.

"Honestly, it took about a month and a half for me to get my head and my thoughts straight and the whole time they were

there telling me how worthy I was to have a new life," said Ms. X.

Ms. X came to Texas through the military. The drug abuse began shortly after she had completed her tour of duty.

"She has come a long way," said Amy Foster, residential services director at the Crisis Center. "She has worked hard."

"Amy has told me that over and over," said Ms. X. "I've come a long way, and I couldn't have done it without her support and that of the others. I have a job and have already been promoted into a position that allows me to get closer to the career that I've always wanted.

Ms. X is enrolled in school and she has found a twobedroom house that she and her child will be moving into soon. "My child was very afraid at first that school friends would find out where we were staying and about the situation we had been living in. Before, school grades were very poor, but now they have improved tremendously.

"We are looking forward to our new home. I feel like we have been given a new life. I said, this is it God, you've given me the door; opened it and told me to go for it. I'm going for it and it seems to have made everyone happy that life has turned around for us. I am so thankful to everyone that has helped," she said.

Mrs. X is just one of many who have been helped by the staff and volunteers at the Crisis Center.

During 2007, the Kilgore Community Crisis Center has provided:

429 individuals help with diapers, food, and clothing

472 victims of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

271 families assisted with rent/utility assistance.

If you would like to learn more about the Crisis Center, they can be reached at 903- 984-3019.

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HAPPY birthday today to Mike Coston and Dawn Soape, Bill Brown, Linda Stone, Melissa Murphy, Jerry Walton, Margie Peace, Fred Jackson, Helen Layne, Elvin Henderson, Marilyn Reed, Renita Dickey, Kyla Denmon, Kayla Denmon, Greg Brown, Faye Pol, Chellye Couch, Elizabeth Wyatt, Christy Copeland, Martha Green, Mrs. M.L. Still, Mrs. Jack Bewley, L.A. Alexander, Lefty Mitchell, Timeko McCowin, Shajuanna Welch, Marsha Shankle, Van Rowden, David Austin.