At Magdala House, we witness the transformative power of belief in oneself. Denise’s story is a testament to this. Healing doesn’t just happen with a roof over your head—it happens when someone sees you, when someone believes in you, and when you begin to believe in yourself.
That truth came alive at our recent Speak Your Mind Open Mic event when Denise, a tenant at Tiny Homes, sat behind a keyboard and poured her heart into the room.
Denise, who lives with dyslexia, opened her performance with the powerful worship melody of the song “I Give Myself Away” by William McDowell. As she played, she shared her journey—one of pain, growth, courage, and rediscovery. It was more than a performance. It was a testimony.
“I used to think I wasn’t like everybody else,” she said. “I read and write differently. I learn differently. But that doesn’t make me less than. It makes me—me.”
Through occupational therapy at Magdala, Denise began to see herself in a new light. She credits her OT, Hailey, with giving her the confidence to stand up for herself. “Hailey helped me understand that we all deserve to be treated with dignity, no matter how we learn,” Denise said. “She gave me the strength to say: I am still somebody. I am still special. Not only to God—but to others.”
She shared hard-won wisdom that stopped the room: “When people discriminate against you, there are consequences. However, sometimes, their negativity can serve as our motivation. We don’t have to stay stuck in what people say. We can rise.”
Denise didn’t just talk about her pain—she turned it into a song. One she wrote and performed called “It Will Be Alright,” which reflects her journey through addiction, judgment, and finally—grace. She invited the audience to sing with her because, in her words, “The goal is for everyone to leave feeling good. Everybody is somebody.”
A healing one. And it reminded all of us why Magdala is more than a shelter. We are a supportive community, a space for new beginnings—for uncovering the strength and purpose that’s already inside.
After Denise’s performance, another tenant—who had quietly been coloring in the corner—held up their coloring book. On the page were the words: “Make You Proud.” Denise smiled and said, “That’s the message. Right there.”
At Magdala House, we believe that every voice matters. Every story counts. And just like Denise said—we all are somebody. You are somebody. You are special.
Help Every Voice Be Heard. Help Every Life Be Seen.
Denise’s story reminds us that healing starts with dignity, support, and belief—not just in others, but in ourselves. At Magdala House, we’re building more than shelter—we’re nurturing strength, creativity, and community.
Give today—and help someone know they are still somebody.
