Heather Gieck uses past hardships to help others heal

Heather Gieck
Heather Gieck


Being raised in addiction, Heather Gieck had struggled with substance use disorder for a long time.

"I lived a life of degradation, shame and guilt," she said. "My mother raised two of my children and my aunt raised the other. I was existing, but I was not living."

It was in prison where she gained a completely new outlook.

"God had a hold of my heart," she said. "I was there because of my own volition, the things that I had done, but I wanted to be done with that life long before I ever was.

"It was in prison that I actually was in a place where I was sat down long enough where I could begin to put his word into my eyes and my ears and allow my heart to be changed and my mind to be transformed. It was a beautiful place of growth, healing and transformation."

Upon her release from prison, she entered into a faith-based recovery program in Branson where she stayed for three years, mentoring and helping women overcome addiction as the house manager for two of those years.

A few months after returning back home to Jefferson City, she felt a calling to create something that would allow her to give back what had been given to her.

"The Lord birthed the vision for The Healing House and New Beginnings in my heart, and I started working on it," she said.

Gieck recently received the annual Fisher Family Good Samaritan Award. Redemption Inside the Walls and News Tribune partnered to select five good Samaritans who have gone above and beyond to help Mid-Missouri.

Gieck is the founder and director of The Healing House and New Beginnings, a nonprofit Christian recovery ministry designed to help women recover from addiction and rebuild their lives. It houses up to 25 women who attend classes in spirituality, recovery, life skills and more.

"Our goal is a changed heart that leads to a changed life, and a changed life that leads to a changed community," Gieck said.

Through the Healing House and New Beginnings, Gieck has helped many women who have experienced extraordinary life struggles overcome substance use disorders and mental health issues and turn their lives around.

"Their hearts are being restored, their minds are being renewed, and their lives are being changed," she said.

When Gieck looks at the women who come to The Healing House and New Beginnings, she sees herself.

"Jesus Christ came into me and changed my heart," she said. "He changed me from the inside out. And that changed my life. I could not help but give back what he's given me."

Through breaking the cycle of trauma and addiction, Gieck hopes The Healing House and New Beginnings will change many lives through a ripple effect.

"If their children don't have to grow up in the bondage of addiction, dysfunction and trauma of it all, you're talking about not only that one woman and her children, but their children," Gieck said. "You're talking about generations to come. That's pretty exciting."

For the first time in her life, Gieck feels she is where she is meant to be.

"For once in my life, I just feel like I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing," she said.

The other four Fisher Family Good Samaritan Award recipients are Lisa Breedlove, Margaret Thoenen, Sherrie Downs and Erin Evans.

Related:

Good Samaritans recognized at Redemption Inside the Walls

Lisa Breedlove there for those in need

Erin Evans strives to help children in need

Margaret Thoenen takes time to care for others

Sherrie Downs remains a caregiver through retirement

  photo  Heather Gieck