Let's show Sherry that recovery is possible!

Hi, my name is Erica Hamby and I am raising money on behalf of my Mom, Sherry Holmes. As some of you might know, I am a person in long-term recovery and what that means to me is that it's been 3 years since I've decided to use drugs or alcohol to change the way I think or feel. Unfortunately, I wish addiction began and ended with me, but that is just not the case in my family. Growing up in an addictive home and struggling with my addictions in the past has taught me that addiction truly is a family disease.

On August 9th, 2023 I received a call from my parents Michael Holmes (age 58) and Sherry Holmes (age 56), who have been in active addiction since before I was born. They both stated to me that they had hit what they felt was "rock bottom". They continued to share with me that they had been living out of their car that was about to get repoed, homeless, jobless, and ready to get sober.

I immediately gave them resources to take active and accountable steps toward their recovery. I then sat back and prayed for God's will, not mine to be done. In just a few hours my parents had used the resources provided to find a wellness center where they could detox. After 6 days of detoxing, they have both been moved to residential. They will stay another 7-9 days in residential treatment then at which point they have requested to move to a 12-month sober living facility.

By the grace of God and some very wonderful friends in recovery, we have been able to secure my Dad a scholarship for his stay. This means all expenses are paid. However, because most sober livings are self-pay, do not accept insurance and my Mom is disabled and can not work. We are having a hard time finding her a long-term housing program. Her monthly disability checks will pay for her monthly rent. But the intake fees and initial start-up costs range from $1,500-3,000 depending on location. This does not count the costs of hygiene products, clothes or food. On top of that my Mom also struggles with mental health issues and not all facilities will accept her. Which limits our options as well.

My brother Aaron, Aunt Patty and myself have been supporting them through this time the best way we can. Including taking in a dog that was housed in their car, and supplying transportation and placement resources. My Aunt is currently retired and living off a very small salary. My brother is just 6 months sober and is working to rebuild his life as well. As for me, I am currently working 40-hour weeks as a substance abuse counselor, going to college full-time to get my bachelor's in psychology, while raising a child and staying sober. Financially between the three of us, we are living paycheck to paycheck to better our lives.

We are fiercely praying that God knows our needs and will provide for our family. God's timing is always perfect and I am a true believer that everything happens for a reason. We would be truly grateful if you would consider donating on her behalf to start this new way of life. I am still in awe of the miracles that God has laid before me. It is truly a full-circle moment for my family and I'm honored to have paved the way as a generational cycle-breaker. That is why I am asking for help. If recovery has taught me anything it has taught me that we can't recover alone.

While I don't know God's plans for my parents. I know three things to be true.

1. Doing the next right thing is all I can do for them.

2. Miracles do happen, I am living proof of it.

3. God could and would if he were saught.

Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers during this time.

In Gratitude,

Erica Holmes Hamby

& The Holmes Family

UPDATE: Mom has been accepted to a Christian based all women's facility. She will be leaving on Monday, August 21st to go to a sober living for 12 months. The cost has been reduced to $1,500 due to her hardships. WE HAVE REACHED OUR GOAL OF $1,500 AND GOD IS SO GOOD! Thank you to everyone who has donated. The $1,500 will be used for her intake fees and medical fees to have housing for the next 12 months. The additional $500 will be used for bedding, clothes and hygiene essentials. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to everyone who has prayed, shared and donated. Miracles do happen!