Testimony to The Tree of Hope

"The Tree of Hope Association is the most amazing place I've ever come to know. There is something special for everyone who walks through the doors of Tree of Hope. Every day that I have spent within the walls of Tree of Hope I have thrived, and when I leave to go home, I do so in anticipation of seeing the association flourish and grow even further, because of how organized and intentional the help that I receive is. The Tree of Hope Association works as an apparent powerhouse, whereby I have witnessed show appropriate support for everyone who comes through its doors on an individualized level, without prejudice.

At the time when I was referred to the peer support program at Tree of Hope, I was morally rejected by my family for not meeting their expectations for me, at the age they had hoped for, and it hurt a lot. I disconnected myself from all of my friends, because I felt clearly not worthy enough to be their friend, seeing that even the people I trusted the most in my life didn't care much for me. I had given up any hope of living life in any other way other than depression, anxiety, and mental anguish while drifting around cafes in personal isolation, while I built myself up through online classes and self-study. To tell the truth, there is no telling if I would have survived the possibility of self-harm. Tree of Hope changed my life.

Somehow, unbeknownst me I was disarmed by the environment at Tree of Hope from any pretense of not being understood or accepted by the people around me. From the very first day that I spent at the center, the conversations that I had with everyone at the office inspired me to keep coming back on nearly a daily basis. Through the many talks that I had in my earlier days at Tree of Hope, I was shown that it was acceptable to look for help with dealing with the mental health issues that I had learned to live with and had dismissed as a healthy rebellious attitude toward my family. I was eventually able to find mental health services that work for me, and it has made all of the difference in the world.

Through the Tree of Hope Association, I was also paired with the very best Peer Support Specialist for me, one who can always bring a smile to my face. My Peer Support Specialist goes above and beyond for me, and you can tell that their acts of kindness are done with a warm heart, full of the intention to lift the spirit of a fellow human, and probably more so, if I had a pet for them to show acknowledgement to as well. I feel myself to be a truly lucky person.

Not only does the Tree of Hope Association provide a safe, organized, fun, interactive, cooperative, and well-designed workspace, they also host an in-house Primary Care Practitioner, who has worked very hard for me from our first appointment. With the help of the in-house Primary Care Practitioner, I was able to identify not only one but multiple chemical deficiencies that I had been living with, untreated by medical attention. The Tree of Hope Association has helped to transform my life from a lifestyle of complete disregard for my health to one where my overall wellness is concerned.

Through coming back to the Tree of Hope as often as possible, through the resources that they provide, and through taking the advice that they give, I was able to completely refresh my positivity and happy spirit. I will always be grateful for the Tree of Hope Association and for the lifelong friendships that I am developing there."

Written by: Jah-Jah Jackson

Pictured below: