SRQ Magazine | Spirit of Giving - Harvest House

HARVEST HOUSE

Spirit of Giving | December 2024

A JOURNEY FROM PAIN TO PURPOSE: AMANDA'S STORY AT HARVEST HOUSE

Amanda's life was once defined by relentless turmoil. She found herself homeless, stripped of self-worth, job skills, and any semblance of stability. Addiction had taken everything. "I want to say it took everything from me, but the truth is I gave everything for it," she recalls. In a desperate attempt for change, she moved to New Jersey, hoping distance could sever the chains of addiction. Instead, isolation only magnified her struggle. But then, in a moment that felt like fate, she discovered Harvest House.

ARRIVING IN FLORIDA, AMANDA STOOD ON THE DOORSTEP OF HARVEST HOUSE, unaware that she was beginning a journey that would forever change her life. The program wasn't just about recovery; it was about rediscovering herself. "They taught me how to respect myself and operate in the world with integrity," she shares. Yet, her path wasn't linear. Amanda completed the program once, only to fall back into old patterns. But when she returned, humbled and determined, she embraced the lessons and community support that she had resisted before.

IT WAS THIS CONNECTION THAT LIT A SPARK IN HER TO HELP OTHERS. "The care I received made me want to be that person for someone else," she says. Amanda's lifelong dream of being in the medical field was reignited—not as a doctor but as a case manager at Harvest House. She realized that while her journey had been marked by pain, it equipped her uniquely to serve those who walked similar paths.

WORKING AT HARVEST HOUSE, AMANDA'S MISSION IS TO INSTILL HOPE AND SHOW OTHERS THAT TRANSFORMATION IS POSSIBLE.

"Every client I meet, I see a piece of myself in them. For me, it's personal," she states. Amanda's story is a testament to resilience, proving that time, no matter how unkind it may seem, can indeed heal and be used for good.

HARVEST HOUSE, established in 1992, is a nonprofit organization that champions hope and transforms lives through supportive and affordable housing, addiction recovery programs, and food security services in Sarasota and Manatee Counties. With 380 beds across multiple campuses, they serve homeless families, veterans, and individuals overcoming substance abuse and incarceration. Their holistic approach emphasizes personal responsibility and community support, ensuring that dignity remains a non-negotiable aspect of their mission. By democratizing affordable housing, addiction recovery, workforce development, and food security, Harvest House fosters lasting change and stability for generations to come.

HAVE YOU SEEN WHAT WE DO? COME VISIT WITH US!

We'll go around on an air-conditioned van to 8 of our Sarasota campuses. You'll learn more about homelessness and addiction, and how Harvest House is working around the clock to address these issues in our community.

HARVEST HOUSE | 941.953.3154 | 3650 17TH STREET | SARASOTA, FL 34235 INFO@HARVESTHOUSECENTERS.COM