Danielle’s Story

Danielle Cundiff, age 32, relapsed on heroin one month after starting her court ordered community service at The Love Seat in June 2020. In her words, “Sherri Hockett, The Love Seat manager, loved me through my relapse. I got back on track and, will have one year clean next month (August 2021)." Danielle says the loving acceptance and support of staff and volunteers at The Love Seat helped her gain confidence, self respect, and a new identity. “I used to wear my heroin addiction on my sleeve. That was my identity. Now I am just Danielle.”

Danielle started using heroin in 2015, after her mental health declined following a divorce and loss of her children. That same year, she overdosed, was placed on life supports and barely escaped death. The next few years were filled with more crises and trauma that included temporary paralysis, organ failure, and homelessness on the streets of St. Louis. She says it was not until she lost nine people close to her that she knew she had to quit. Eight of the deaths were drug-related and involved overdose, murder or suicide.

Danielle says The Love Seat became her lifeline. “The staff and volunteers became my family and the work of helping others gave me purpose. I was once a nurse and loved helping people. Now I get to help the homeless, addict, domestic violence survivor and get to love them like others have loved me. I look forward to coming to work. This is the longest I have held a job in my entire life."

Danielle says she is grateful to have a job at The Love Seat. “When you have a drug or criminal history, very few employers want to hire you. Those who do often have employees who use drugs and the work environment is not safe for someone in recovery."

She wants to become a certified peer support specialist and work with women suffering from addiction. She would like to see more sober living options for women in our community and dreams of helping make this happen. Danielle says, “I found the unconditional love of Christ in many of the people at The Love Seat. It healed my heart and caused me to want to love others in this same way. Everyone needs what The Love Seat gave me.”