“Everyone in Jena knows me and knows of my addiction,” said 43-year-old Heather Bradford Schitoskey. “I was very well known in Jena, but what many people don’t know now is that Jesus changed my life.”
“Everyone in Jena knows me and knows of my addiction,” said 43-year-old Heather Bradford Schitoskey. “I was very well known in Jena, but what many people don’t know now is that Jesus changed my life.”
The former Jena resident’s battle with addiction saw her hurt family and friends and take her life into a downward spiral.
“It all started with a dance with the devil at the age of 20 when I was introduced to crystal meth,” she said. “For many years, I was blinded by Satan and his lies. The lie that he told me, that I could never be a good mother, led me to abort my only child.”
“I was trapped in a lifestyle of doing me for 23 years, in and out of jail, going right back even after God had worked miracle after miracle in my life,” she said.
It was seeing the transformation in her sister that was the turning point for Heather.
“My sister, April, had gone to Louisiana Adult & Teen Challenge (LATC) and her encounter with Jesus there really changed her,” she said. “In fact, when I saw her, I couldn’t believe how transformed she was. I saw Jesus all over her.”
April, who had battled with addictions herself, found the help she needed when over two years ago she went to LATC. She now works full-time with the recovery organization.
“She tried to get me to come after she went through the program and finally, I did,” said Heather. “Me and my husband (Steve) both entered LATC on August 23, 2023 and having Jesus change us truly transformed our lives like April’s.”
“We have both committed our lives to God and found freedom after falling on our knees and confessing our sins,” she said. “Jesus has completely covered and set me free from all the wrongs that I have done in my past and today the scripture I stand on is Jeremiah 29:11, which says, ‘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 hope and a future.’” Today, Heather works alongside her sister April at LATC in Winnfield. In addition, her husband Steve is also employed at LATC in the men’s program.
“Our marriage is stronger than ever all because of Jesus,” she said. “Jesus brought us out of addiction and together as husband and wife.
On Saturday, October 12, with registration beginning at 9 a.m., Louisiana Adult & Teen Challenge will conduct a special Walk Against Drugs at the Freighthouse Foodpark in Ruston. Along with a walk to raise awareness and money, a live Christian worship band will provide music and the Grace Wins food truck will be on site to provide food for attendees. All money raised, including the food truck, will go directly to LATC.
Heather said that she and her husband will be walking side-by-side at the event and encourages all Jena residents to make the trip to Ruston to participate.
“Jesus is still changing lives,” she said. “Me, my husband and my sister are all living proof of that.”
For more information about LATC or the Walk Against Drugs, call (318) 648-1100 or visit www.louisianateenchallenge. com.