TAMPA, Fla. — For more than 20 years, Hillsborough House of Hope has provided a roof and resources along with lots of love in between, to women who are starting over after incarceration, addiction, or domestic violence.
Kandi Alexander was a thriving businesswoman and homeowner before an opioid addiction robbed her of everything she had. She says the problem started at a doctor’s appointment to treat her degenerative arthritis.
"I went to a regular doctor that I thought was okay for some pain management, walked out with oxycodone and everything went bad from there," she said.
Alexander spiraled into addiction, "I needed a little cash because I certainly wasn't running my business, so I, being a really good criminal, sold to some nice young men. They were very nice, clean cut, they were undercover agents.”
She continued those sales to detectives, unknowingly racking up multiple charges, and a 12-year prison sentence.
“Thank God I’m a Christian lady. I took God with me and I put one foot in front of the other and managed," she said.
After her time served, Alexander says she had nowhere to turn and no income to lean on. She moved into the Palmer House just days later.
Linda Walker is the Program Director for Hillsborough House of Hope.
“We started out with one house in 2003 and as of today we have 3 houses," she said.
The force behind the now-thriving program was the late Margaret Palmer. She was a volunteer counselor for women serving in Hillsborough County Correctional Facilities and championed the creation of a shelter for those who needed assistance starting over.
Walker helped build the program with Palmer from the ground up and continues to walk the women toward success, keeping them accountable along the way.
“Every Sunday the girls have to send in a schedule to me, that helps them to stay on track,” she explains. The program is rooted in Christian values and built on faith.
The ladies attend church and bible study as part of their weekly schedules. Walker has walked the talk and knows the importance of the structure firsthand.
“I am one of those ladies and I have been clean and sober July 26 of this year will be 26 years," she said. "I’ve been to jail, I’ve been in an institution and all I’ve got left is death and today I chose to live.”
She says her story is one that now allows her to help others through their own trials.
"Girls can come into the house now and they'll tell me all of these stories and I'll just look at them, I say ‘done that, and been there and if I can come through what I went through, so can you.’”
After six months in the Palmer House, women move across the street to the Pat Cook House for a longer period and a little more independence. Alexander says while the women keep to a schedule and employment, they’re provided everything they need to thrive and feel supported.
“You walk into a nice room with pictures on the wall and a nice bedspread. Everyone has their own little pantry and area in the kitchen that way we can gather our own things.”
She says there's proven success through the program.
"I've seen a lot of women who came here with nothing, who have left in their little cars, packed it up and headed for their little apartment and it has made me so happy for them."
Alexander is preparing for that next chapter too, boxing up things for her new apartment and the chapter that’s ahead.
"I will miss Hillsborough House of Hope but I promise you, I'll never be very far from House of Hope if I'm ever needed because when I needed Hillsborough House of Hope, it was here for me."
On May 25, Hillsborough House of Hope is holding its Butterfly Tea Party fundraiser in Tampa. To purchase tickets, or to donate to the program click or tap here.
Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis is urged to reach out for help. You can contact the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay at 211 or call 911. The National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached 24/7 at 800-799-7233. Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis can contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.