Hello everyone,

My name is Kimberly Centifanto. I’m 38 years old, and my struggle with addiction began at just 14. It started with marijuana and alcohol, but by my senior year of high school I was already using intravenously. By the grace of God, I still graduated and left a four-year abusive relationship. I even went on to nursing school, but my addiction quickly took over.

For a long time, I believed my problems came from bad relationships, not realizing that addiction itself was the root. At 26, I finally came to terms with the truth: I wasn’t just caught up in bad situations—I was an addict, and I was the problem. That same year, I lost temporary custody of my 2½-year-old son. It took me two years to regain custody and close my DCS case.

Over the years, my life has been a cycle of active addiction, short periods of sobriety, and unhealthy codependency on my family. But on January 7th, 2025, I came to Inspiration Ministries completely broken and at rock bottom. I had just lost my dad, and I was tired of running from grief. I left my son with my stepmom, walked away from the people, places, and things in South Bend, and came seeking real support and a new beginning.

It hasn’t been easy. Since coming to the ministry, I also lost my stepmom—just five months ago. On top of that, my son’s father fought me for custody and won. I’ve had to grieve not only the loss of my dad and stepmom but also the pain of not being a full-time mom. This journey is hard and still very new, but through it all, God has been faithful.

Today, I live in graduate housing and will officially graduate from the program on October 7th. I work full-time and recently received a promotion. I have my son every other weekend, and God is slowly restoring our relationship. He’s beginning to trust me again, and I know only God can heal the damage addiction and absence have caused.

Even when my car broke down, Inspiration Ministries stepped in, making sure I had rides to work and could still see my son. Their love and support have made it possible for me to cut unhealthy ties, grieve my losses, and stay strong in recovery. They have never stopped believing in me.

Another blessing is that God is also healing my relationship with my birth mother. We hadn’t spoken in 11 years—since my brother’s funeral—and now we’re back in contact. I can’t wait to see what else God has in store as I continue walking this recovery journey with Him!

Two verses that mean so much to me are:

Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope.”