Testimonials

I have been a part of Lorriane's House since August 2022, after being homeless and living in a hotel for about a month.

Prior to that, I had struggled many years with addiction and being in unhealthy and abusive relationships with men. Since coming to Lorraine's, I have continued to grow in my recovery and have achieved many of my personal goals. These include maintaining full-time employment, getting my driver's license and purchasing a car. I have also progressed from a regular home to the Step-Down program through Lorraine's, which offers me greater independence. Even after I left the program briefly last year, Lucy allowed me to re-enter services and I'm very grateful for her ongoing support. Since moving into Lorraine's House, I have gained more insight into the root cause of why I chose to be in unhealthy relationships, which led to my addiction. I am happy to say that I am now 4 years, 3 months sober from meth! I have hope for the future and love helping others by offering encouragement to new people entering the program. My faith and my church is also a very important piece to my recovery. 2 Corinthians 5:17 say "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:

The old has gone, the new is here!"

My name is Candice Eisenhower ("she/they" pronouns are both equally preferable)- I'm genderfluid and transfeminine in long-term recovery: sobriety-date is August 21, 2022:

Presently speaking, I have nearly 40 months of continuous sobriety; however early on I was fighting an uphill battle to get and hold on to my Miracle Year: I spent the first 12 months "toughing-out" my time in correctional custody, and then ended up in a Men's conservative Christian and intensive Bible-study sober-living program for two months when I was released on the Outside in Fall 2023 - where I had to cut off all my long hair, detransition off of feminizing HRT and go back in the closet - it felt horrifically cruel and unfair to me at the time because I was finally ready to both stay clean and take those next big steps "Coming Out" and living authentically, and yet the latter of which was being robbed from me; however, it has nevertheless been the 2+ years that I've been at Lorraine's House that has empowered me to optimally thrive in long-term recovery. I was fourteen months sober upon moving in- and immediately hit the ground running: being proactively engaged in both Women's and LGBTQ recovery-groups, continuing to work with my sponsor, maintaining steady employment, and last but not least - accomplishing both of my long-term major personal and academic life-goals: restarting transition on feminizing hormones and returning to school at the local community college.

Moreover, while transitioning and going back to school, I contributed my input along the way on the development of the Rainbow House - being both mutually inclusive to women who are cis-hetero "queer"-allies and LGBTQ recovering individuals in the greater KCMO area who would otherwise be experiencing displacement or marginalization in terms of finding supportive housing, so that nobody ever has to struggle with the nightmare of having to go back in the closet while trying to stay clean.

I was able to resume seeing my endocrinologist in late Fall 2023, and restart on a higher dose of estrogen as part of feminizing hormone therapy, despite having to contend with detransitioning for a few months earlier in the Fall. I was very diligent and patient through the whole process - balancing out transitioning with recovery, work and school, still having to deal with coping and managing the occasional mood swings in the process as well. But I have now finally been titrated to the maximum dose of estrogen replacement therapy since January 30 - nearly two full years total - in which the results from the feminization hormones have been rather quite spectacular, and remain committed and motivated to hormonally transitioning "full-time" on an indefinite basis.

And of course, of both equally awesome (and fabulous) importance: stockpiling an extensively lovely wardrobe of cute, darling and pretty outfits in that time as well.

^ And on an existential level, I feel that I have attained self-actualized contentment here as a result, for which I’m immensely grateful.

Transitioning is still tough though- however as I've invested myself in a 12 Step program, I’ve been able to move beyond feelings of repressed bitterness and resentment from experiencing bullying and harassment in the past previous years, transcend my own insecurities and anxieties that have previously hindered me, and overall have become a lot more comfortable and confident with myself as a human being - I’ve now discovered first hand that transitioning is a lot more fun when you’re surrounded by a community of women that treat you with love, acceptance and kindness.

Within the last couple weeks, I've now officially received notice of early-termination on my last probation case, and have now paid the deposit and signed the lease for renting my own private room near work and school - now finally making those next big steps towards finally living independently.

To recap and summate: being nearly 3.5 years sober - with all of my cumulative achievements - both personal and academic: hormonally transitioning long-term on high-dose estrogen replacement therapy, in tandem with the fact that I’ve been back in school since Summer 2024, and am now on-track to graduate Spring 2026 with my first associate's degree (AS in General Sciences) and subsequently plan on studying to become an Electronic Systems Engineering Technician - is indicative that I have been living my best authentic life “en femme” sober while attaining my fullest optimal academic and intellectual potential here.

Overall, departing this program as an Alumni on a relatively positive note - I hope that both my contributions as well as my accomplishments and achievements in long-term sobriety, that has allowed me to advance thru the "Step-down" housing on a fair and equitable basis, can serve as the exemplary standard of trans-inclusivity in long-term recovery, and continue to pave the way for many others.

13 months ago I was coming out of a domestic violence situation and ready to get sober. I was scared, alone, confused, and very unsure of what my future would look like. But I found this sober living program that immediately welcomed me with open arms. Made me feel like I was a part of something and gave me a reason to keep fighting. The accountability, structure, and supportive community of ladies has changed my life and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be part of something as meaningful as Ember Rise Sober Living.

I fought going to sober living for years until I gave in, but it was the best decision I could’ve made. It’s not just about having a warm bed under a safe roof; it’s about the support, love, and serenity I found within the walls of the house. I get to have accountability while maintaining my independence, and that’s incredibly important to my recovery. I can truly say that Wilson House saved my life

The program has allowed me to stay sober for 22 months with the support of women and a supportive community. I have been able to create a strong relationship with god and empowering women within the program.