My Story - Char

Hello, my name is Char (no that is not my real name). No, the picture above is not me (I only wish I could be that beautiful). Someday, I hope to be able to have the courage and strength that I can show my picture to the world. However, right now, I am still working my way through all the challenges that I have faced in my life.

As a young child I was the victim of incest (if you call a step-father family) and later, when I was in my teenage years, I found myself using sex to somehow help me feel like I existed. I know that doesn't make sense, but that was me then, and for a few more years when I was forced into becoming a sex worker. That is a nice way of saying I was a prostitute, but not of my own choice. 

When I was in my early 20s, I guess I had been a prostitute long enough and I was dumped alongside the interstate, near exit 16 on I-695 in Baltimore. 

I was left there to die, I guess, because I was dead to my pimp. I wasn't earning enough money for the "stable" so I was forced out, away from friends. I don't know if they were really friends, but they were the only friends I knew (other prostitutes in the stable). A few hours later, when the morning was just starting, a Baltimore Sheriff's officer saw me alongside the road and picked me up. I didn't have any identification to give him so I was taken to an area survivor shelter. I was there a few months until I had to leave, but in the meantime, I was introduced to Candace Wheeler and Restoration 1:99, Inc. Thank you, God!

I am 24 years old now. Restoration has helped me in ways I cannot even begin to describe. First, they gave me some clothes (my only clothes were what I was wearing at the time I got rescued by the police), and set me up to start counseling. I have been seeing Candace ever since.

Occasionally, I have drifted off from therapy, but she always takes me in. I am finally becoming able to face myself, but I have a long way to go. If you are reading this, maybe you have a story somewhat like mine and are looking for help. Call Candace right away. It won't be easy, but it will be so worth it.