Jasmine Road: LeTonya’s Story

Freedom

LeTonya’s addiction led to the loss of her car, custody of her children, and ultimately to her living unsheltered on the streets of Greenville County near I-85 and Augusta Road.  “I was following the wrong crowd,” said LeTonya. “The drugs wouldn’t let me pay my bills – wouldn’t let me care about my children.”

As she struggled through homelessness, she says she got sick and tired of being sick and tired.  That’s when she reached out to Jasmine Road to get the help that she needed. 

Jasmine Road is South Carolina's first two-year residential program for adult women survivors of human trafficking, prostitution, and addiction.  Providing acceptance and a safe place to recover from the trauma of life on the streets, Jasmine Road offers free housing, basic needs, health care, and coordinated services to help women rebuild their lives.

After entering the residential program at Jasmine Road, LeTonya received counseling, support, and caseworkers that constantly followed up with her. Additionally, they connected her to a Narcotics Anonymous sponsor and support group. Jasmine Road helped LeTonya find the freedom to choose the life she wants…one that is powered by reconnection with her children and the phenomenal love she experienced at Jasmine Road.

Jasmine Road’s graduation success rate is 70% for those who stayed through phase one of the three-phase program and 100% for those who stayed through phase two. Programs like this serve not just survivors, but the community-at-large. In 2022, Jasmine Road cited resources used by just one woman who was arrested 22 times in less than three years.

“That’s 22 police officers, judges, and public defenders and all the expenses of incarceration and general sessions court,” says former Executive Director Beth Messick. “It’s a much better investment to launch women back into society where they can contribute as taxpayers, reunify with family members and change the community for generations.”

While Jasmine Road partners with Miracle Hill Ministries and other emergency shelters for women to create a pathway to their program, it is not an emergency housing/shelter provider. It is important to understand the role programs like Jasmine Road have within the overall system addressing homelessness by providing the support of housing, basic needs, health care, and coordinated services to create a connected community and help women rebuild their lives.

To learn more, visit https://www.jasmineroad.org