“We all know something about pain, loss, abandonment, fear, and powerlessness over something," Crum said. "In my life, I have experienced all the above; however, it has given me a beautiful, chaotic story that will hopefully encourage the next person going through a similar situation.”

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Crum was born in Cleveland, Ohio, but has spent the remainder of her life in various West Virginia cities. Now living in Charleston, Crum serves as a Supportive Counselor at WVU Medicine Thomas Hospital, caring for patients who are working to overcome substance use disorder.

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A recovering addict, Crum is two years sober and continues to work on her recovery daily. She experienced homelessness in Charleston prior to finding assistance from the YWCA Sojourner’s Shelter in October 2019. Sojourner’s Shelter was not only able to provide Crum with a safe, warm, and structured environment; the staff at Sojourner’s also gave her the tools to be self-sufficient by assisting her in obtaining her identification documents such as ID, a birth certificate, and a Social Security card.

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With the assistance of Sojourner's Shelter staff and others, Crum was able to obtain her own housing and acquire housing, a car and employment to support her family, including her three sons.