More than three decades after entering Luther Hall as a teenager, Jackie walked back through its doors carrying paint, canvases, and a mission: to help young people heal.
For Jackie, the visit wasn’t just a volunteer opportunity. It was a full-circle moment.
At age 16, Jackie spent time at Luther Hall, a residential treatment center, after experiencing abuse and trauma, finding herself part of a tragedy in the early 1990s that brought intense public attention and shaped much of her life.
For years, others told her story. Today, she is reclaiming that narrative, returning to Luther Hall with a powerful message for youth facing their own challenges: your story doesn’t end here.
The Power of One Caring Adult
When Jackie reflects on her time at Luther Hall, she doesn’t remember programs or policies. She remembers people.
“There were three staff members I’ll never forget,” she said. “The time they invested in me and the time they listened to me… later those words clicked.”
Decades later, Jackie still remembers their names and the impact they had on her life. While she may not have realized it at the time, the seeds those staff members planted stayed with her long after she left Luther Hall.
Today, that’s the message she wants Nexus Family Healing staff to hear.
“Even though they might feel like they’re not reaching these kids or it’s not working, it is,” Jackie said. “You might not think it’s helpful, but it is in the long run. They’re going to be difference makers.”
For Jackie, their legacy is proof that a caring adult doesn’t have to have all the answers. Sometimes, simply showing up, listening, and believing in a young person can change the course of their lives.
Healing Through Art
Like many people who have experienced trauma, Jackie spent years searching for healing. She speaks openly about struggling with addiction and using substances to cope with the pain she carried from childhood.
Then she picked up a paintbrush. And what began as a creative outlet became a lifeline.
“I just slept a lot, painted a lot, and slowly I started to come out of the fog,” she said. “Instead of buying the drugs, I was buying the paint, and I was buying the canvases.”
Through expressive art, Jackie found a way to release years of pain, process trauma, and reconnect with herself. Today, she is clean and sober and committed to helping others find healthy paths toward healing.
“You don’t have to end your life. You don’t have to pick up that bottle. You don’t have to pick up those pills,” she said. “It’s all about learning how to love that inner child.”
Today, Jackie shares a simple but powerful message: healing is possible, and no one has to carry their pain alone.
A Return to Luther Hall
After sharing her story publicly through a recent TEDx Fargo talk, Jackie felt called to return to the place that had played a role in her own healing journey. Instead of celebrating with a traditional event, she chose to spend time with youth at Luther Hall through expressive art.
What followed was more than an art project. As paint covered canvases, walls came down and connections formed.
“The more I was telling them what helped me, the more I could see them clicking, like the little light turning on,” Jackie said. “It was the most beautiful experience I’ve ever been through.”
For Jackie, the experience was a powerful reminder of how far she had come and how healing can happen when people feel seen, heard, and understood.
A Bigger Mission
Jackie’s vision doesn’t stop at Luther Hall. She dreams of bringing expressive art workshops to youth in residential treatment centers across the country, helping them discover pathways to healing, self-expression, and hope.
Her message to young people is simple: “They are our future. They are so much more powerful than they give themselves credit for.”
For years, Jackie was known for a story she didn’t get to tell herself. Today, she’s reclaiming that narrative and showing young people that they can reclaim theirs, too.
“I took my life back,” she said. “You’re not completely broken. You can pick up those little pieces and slowly put them back together.”
Through art, compassion, and the courage to share her story, Jackie is proving that healing is possible and helping the next generation rewrite their own stories with resilience, hope, and a little more color.
Interested in giving back and making a lasting impact on youth in need? Learn more about how you can support Nexus Family Healing.