KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The holidays are a time for family and this year, some families will be brought together for the very first time. It's all thanks to Amethyst Place, a non-profit providing recovery housing to mothers and their children.
"Christmas was always an excuse for me to use," said Erin Hestand, Amethyst Place resident.
For years, Hestand spent the holidays without her four children and no place to call home.
"It's a terrible thing to say but I don't know how Christmas was for them sometimes because I wasn't there," said Hestand.
This year, it will be a different story. Something Hestand would even call a Christmas miracle.
Hestand moved into Amethyst Place, which is an apartment complex on Troost Avenue for recovering addicts who are mothers.
"We provide support and then we just get out of their way because they are remarkable women and have incredible potential," said Kimberley Davis, Executive Director of Amethyst Place.
On their road to recovery, mothers are given the tools to create new traditions with their families this holiday season.
"The stress of Christmas, I don't have it anymore, I just get to enjoy the holidays, I get to do the decorations and the door decorating and all that good stuff," said Hestand.
No longer making Christmas a reason for Hestand to use.
"It's an excuse for me to be with my kids and do the silly mom stuff, you know?" said Hestand.
Amethyst Place is always looking for donations to help provide women with their very own furnished apartment and a plan to help them stay on track.
