Ashley G's One Year Sober Story
After being released from jail, Ashley found more than just sobriety—she found peace, purpose, and a place to belong at Outreach 419. In this powerful one-year reflection, she shares how faith, community, and consistency helped rebuild her life from the ground up.
PARTICIPANT STORIES
Robert Woldhuis
4/26/20252 min read
“Fresh out of jail.”
That’s how we met Ashley one year ago.
No diploma. No direction. Just a woman in recovery trying to figure out her next step.
Fast forward 12 months, and Ashley’s not just surviving—she’s thriving. She's sober. She's getting her high school diploma (not just a GED). She's helping with recovery outreach. And she's building a new future grounded in faith, love, and purpose.
On 4-19 Day, we got to celebrate that powerful milestone—one full year sober—and hear Ashley reflect on her journey.
Community, Faith, and a Safe Place to Land
“The community is the base of it… the love that’s given with it… it just keeps showing itself more and more.”
Ashley found something at Outreach 419 that she hadn’t experienced in other meetings—a space where recovery and faith walk hand in hand. A place where all pathways are welcome, and people are free to speak openly about their journey. And for her, that made all the difference.
She remembers being in a sober living house, just trying to stay grounded after getting out of jail. She remembers standing on stage at a church sharing her testimony—and seeing a sheriff in the crowd who had once chased her down and arrested her.
That day, he saw someone new. And so did she.
Building a New Future
“I’ve gone through a lot of trauma... death, addiction, and all of it. But now, my life is minute-to-minute in recovery instead of minute-to-minute in survival.”
Ashley didn’t take shortcuts. She could’ve gotten her GED—but she pushed through and earned her high school diploma. She’s working toward becoming a recovery coach, supporting others who are walking the same path she did.
“You guys inspired me to know that recovery is a life-or-death situation—and I want to be that person for someone else now.”
A Word for the Newcomer
“At first, I thought I could just hit the road and start running again. But I had to hold onto the structure of faith to find my foundation. And it was hard. But in the long run, it paid off.”
Ashley knows what it feels like to be just starting out—fresh out of jail, new to sober living, unsure of where you belong. Her message?
Hold onto faith. Show up, even when it’s hard. Recovery may feel slow, but...
“Sometimes it feels like your stairway isn’t growing at all… but really, it is—it just takes time to climb it.”
Finding Peace in the Process
Today, Ashley helps with Ounces of Hope, a street outreach effort serving those still struggling in addiction. She’s giving back to the same streets she once ran through—and every step deepens her recovery.
“Sometimes I just come to Outreach 419 to hang out. It’s peaceful. I tell people all the time, ‘It’s a place where I can breathe.’”
Whether it’s grabbing a plate of food, sharing a laugh, or just crashing in a beanbag chair—Outreach 419 has become more than a program. It’s home.
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If you’re in recovery, new to the journey, or just need a safe space—come visit us at Outreach 419. You are always welcome here.
📍 235 W. Fenwick Rd, Fenwick, MI
🌐 outreach419.com
Watch Ashley's Story Here!