A Story of Restoration: The Helper Who Needed Help

We spend our lives helping those in need—but we never expect it to be ourselves who need help one day. Valerie didn’t either.

Before arriving at Toby’s Place, Valerie’s life was stable and purpose driven. She had a good career in social services, living out her passion for supporting others through hardships. By her own account, she was thriving—working hard and providing for her children.

Then, unexpected circumstances started piling up one by one. From rising rent and shifting job opportunities, the stability she had worked hard to build started to crumble. She felt the Lord nudging her to move her family to South Carolina, but the transition didn’t unfold as she thought it would. Work didn’t come, and everything became uncertain.

Like so many hardworking individuals, Valerie found herself in a place she never imagined—needing help when she was supposed to be the one providing it.

Reaching out was not easy.

“When you’re used to being the one that people come to for needs, it just wasn’t first nature to reach out to a shelter.”

But God had brought her to South Carolina for a reason—just not the reason she thought at the time. During this period, she received a call from Oliver Gospel, offering her a room at Toby’s Place. Then, it all started to make sense—it was an answer to her prayers for direction and became a turning point.

When Valerie arrived, she chose humility.

“You’re not bigger than the program.”

That mindset has allowed her to fully engage with the program—not only to receive support and rebuild her own life, but also to walk alongside fellow guests, encouraging them in their journeys too.

“Here at Toby’s Place, they created an environment to slow down, gather your thoughts, collect yourself, and make a plan… so you can move forward with clarity instead of panic.”

Her journey is still unfolding, but she is actively pursuing a life of purpose—rebuilding her life with the support of Oliver Gospel and the wonderful friends she has made at Toby’s Place.

Valerie’s story is a reminder that hardship does not discriminate. It can touch anyone, even those who have spent their lives serving others. And because of your support, when that moment comes, there is a place where people like Valerie can pause, rebuild, and begin again with dignity.