Throughout Karina Nascimiento’s childhood, she lived in a lot of places with a lot of different people. From her native Brazil to Texas, many years included abuse and neglect. It was when she came to Christ’s Haven in 1989 that she finally felt safe.

She was in survival mode, many of her early years filled with fear and anxiety. So when she came to Christ’s Haven, the immediate sense of family and acceptance was life changing.

Karina lived at Christ’s Haven for three years until she was 17 years old. As she navigated the teen years, her houseparents, Judy & Ron Parish, helped create opportunities for her by encouraging her to try out for cheerleader, run on the track team, and find a part-time job she enjoyed. That would later prove to be a turning point in her life.

“They gave me stability, security, and love,” Karina said.

At her part-time job at the local YMCA, her supervisor said she could use the exercise room to work out if she wanted. Exercising became a refuge for Karina. She knows now that exercise played a significant role in helping her body deal with trauma, depression, and anxiety.

“Judy would take me to the gym and wait in the parking lot for me to do my workout. The gym became a big part of my life. It gave me a sense of security and power that I never had before,” Karina said.