When Zoe Cromwell arrived at the Grants Pass Gospel Rescue Mission just over two months ago, she was at her lowest and most broken point. Struggling with her physical and mental health, she felt entirely lost in her faith and overwhelmed by vulnerability.
Zoe’s journey to the Mission was marked by profound betrayal and hardship. Seeking a safe environment for herself and her eight-year-old daughter, Nattie, Zoe had initially tried staying with someone close who she thought was stable. Unbeknownst to Zoe, that person was privately battling a severe relapse, struggling with sobriety, and using inhalants. As their host became increasingly erratic, Zoe became the target of shifting moods and hostility. Eventually, after taking every dollar of Zoe’s tax refund and leaving her with zero financial means, the person drove Zoe and young Nattie to a bus station in The Dalles, dropped them off, and told them to “figure it out”.
Stranded and desperate, Zoe sat outside a store with her daughter and her food stamp card, praying for an hour straight. “God, I don’t know what to do, and I need you,” she cried out. In an incredible answer to prayer, a kind stranger stopped, provided them with a safe place to sleep for the night, and gave them enough funds to make their way back to Grants Pass. Though they briefly tried staying at a local tent camp, the chaotic, unsafe environment—where drug use was rampant and sleep was impossible—proved that they needed true refuge. Remembering the Mission from the time she lived in Grants Pass years ago, Zoe knew it was her last and best hope.
Walking through the doors, Zoe was terrified and plagued by negative self-talk, fearing she would be judged or punished. Instead, she was met with warmth and clear structure. For Zoe, maintaining her sobriety had always been paramount. Approaching four years of sobriety on November 6th, Zoe viewed even the smallest infraction as a dangerous open door to past destruction. What kept her anchored through the darkest nights was her fierce love for Nattie, a small reserve of willpower, and a deepening reliance on God.
At the Mission, Zoe found that the structure and rules weren’t frightening; rather, they provided a profound sense of safety, mutual understanding, and stability. She discovered a community where her Christian faith could be openly practiced without fear of ridicule or ostracization.
As her confidence grew, Zoe embraced new responsibilities, stepping into a leadership role as a resident assistant to help other women break down overwhelming life goals into achievable steps. Working alongside the Women’s Coordinator, Zoe developed a practical budget, completed her orientation with WorkSource, refined her resume, and began applying for receptionist positions.
Today, Zoe is looking toward the future with genuine peace. She is applying for jobs, dreaming of buying a car, and building a stable foundation for her family. Young Nattie is thriving as well, recently sharing a heartwarming dream where Jesus and God visited her to tell her that she is beautiful inside and out.
Reflecting on her journey, Zoe is overcome with emotion and gratitude. “Without this place, I probably wouldn’t be here,” she shares through tears. “We come to the door broken, at our lowest, and vulnerable… and it is amazing to know we can be honest and not feel worthless. You helped me and my daughter, and you renewed my faith. I’m where I’m supposed to be.”
