When Amanda first came to Journey House, hope felt out of reach. Her days were heavy, shaped by cycles of starting over and feeling like she was falling back again. She was exhausted physically, emotionally, and spiritually, unsure of what the future could hold.
What she did know was that she could not do it alone anymore.
Amanda came through our doors because she had heard there was one place that would not give up on her. She expected support. She expected structure. What she did not expect was connection. She did not expect to be seen for who she was beyond her struggles. She certainly did not expect to find love.
A Journey House Story
While participating in our recovery program, Amanda met Erik. Like her, he had spent years in survival mode, navigating his own path toward stability and healing. Together, they began doing the quiet, difficult work of rebuilding their lives, one honest conversation, one small step, and one day at a time.
Their growth was not rushed or perfect. It was real. Over time, healing turned into partnership. Partnership turned into family. That family kept growing.
Today, Amanda and Erik are in a committed relationship. They are parents to three beautiful children. They are deeply committed to giving back to the community that once held them when they needed it most.
From Participant to Leader: Hope at Home
Amanda now leads Hope at Home alongside Journey House Co-Founder Kimberly Braine-Tillem and Katelyn Rose. Her journey from participant to program leader is not just inspiring. It is a living example of what becomes possible when someone is given the right support at the right time.
Hope at Home is a Journey House Foundation program designed to support parents in recovery and their children as they heal together. Hosted every third Tuesday of the month, the program creates a safe, welcoming space for families to reconnect, share their stories, and build healthier foundations for the future.
For Amanda, this work is deeply personal.
“When we sit with a family who is struggling,” she says, “I remember what it felt like to be them. I tell them they are not broken. They are beginning.”
That single sentence captures the heart of Hope at Home. Every gathering is a reminder that recovery is not just an individual journey. It is a family one. Parents learn alongside their children. Families rebuild trust together. Connections form between people who understand each other in ways that are difficult to put into words.
What Hope at Home Offers
Hope at Home brings parents in recovery together with their children in a structured, supportive environment. The program focuses on strengthening communication, rebuilding family bonds, and creating community among parents who are walking similar paths.
Each monthly gathering includes peer support, group connection, and activities for children so that parents can be fully present. Childcare is provided by trained volunteers, giving parents the space to engage, reflect, and grow alongside others who truly understand the road they are on.
Since its launch, Hope at Home has tripled in size, reflecting the deep need for family-centered recovery support in our community.
Why Your Support Matters
Amanda’s story did not begin with certainty. It began with one decision to walk through a door and ask for help.
When Journey House has strong community support, individuals do not just find a place to stay. They find belonging. They find guidance. They find people who believe in their capacity to grow long before they can believe in it themselves.
Here, hope does not end at the door. It begins there.
Journey House Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Recovery Community Organization and part of the Journey House Recovery Center integrated network of affiliated recovery care and support services in Richmond, VA, which also includes Journey House Behavioral Health and Journey House Richmond Recovery Residences.
If you need help, call (877) 484-5769 today.
Support a family like Amanda’s today by visiting journeyhouserecovery.org/donate-and-partner.