These days, Rebecca Blackburn is wearing a smile, and that is a beautiful sight to those who knew her just a few short years ago.

At age 16, a strained relationship with her mother along with teenage growing pains had taken a toll on her young life. Despondent and suicidal, Rebecca sought refuge at H.O.S.T. House, a program of the Home of the Innocents serving children 13-17 who live in Henry, Oldham, Shelby and Trimble counties.

“When I got there I was real shy and real depressed,” said Rebecca. “I didn’t talk to no one; I just wanted to be left alone.”

It wasn’t easy, but the caring staff at HOST was able to bring Rebecca out of her shell and show her that she had plenty to live for. Now at 19, a smile easily crosses her face as she talks about how her experiences at HOST changed her life.

“There was always someone to talk to, even if it was two in the morning,” she said. “They got me to talk about a lot, about all my problems. Now I feel good about myself and my mom and I don’t fight as much.”

Judy Tilley, a resident counselor at HOST who spent a lot of time with Rebecca, said she is typical of the type of youth that comes to the house.

“A lot of the kids who come here try to be much older than they are,” Judy said. “When Rebecca came here, she had just hit rock bottom. We gave her stability, structure and consistency, things that kids need and things that she had never had.”