Wendy H.
Eva's is my safe haven.
I came from a good family. I was an only child, and I never knew my father. My mother had experienced trauma and was very strict. She took care of me but couldn’t give me her love when I was growing up. She told me I was worthless. So I got into drugs and drinking early, looking for love on the outside. My dream was to play pro basketball, and I was good. I won 2 scholarships, but I dropped out in 11th grade. I was too far gone with drugs.
I was in pain for many years. I was torn up. My self esteem was in the basement. I was that person that said I’d never do this; never do that. All my nevers came true. I wanted to use and I didn’t want to - I wanted to do recovery my way—didn’t want to follow the program. I graduated from 6 recovery programs. Every time I gained stuff, I’d lose it by using. Every time, I let it all go - That’s my story. I lose everything.
I finally recognized it was up to me—I had to stop going to recovery programs just to get a tune-up I always gravitated back to street life, the same people, same places, same things. I realized I can’t be with people like that.
When I came to Eva’s for shelter and help with my addiction, I felt hopeless. I had lost everything. I came here with nothing. I had to start all over. I was ashamed to confront my past - but I realized that it was not about the people who hurt me; it was about me this time - and I had survived the worst.
I first found hope in Eva’s shelter - I had a good crew - many still around and are clean today. When I started recovery at Eva’s, my sponsor jumped right in - she already knew what I needed to do. Always thought I could do it on my own and my way - Eva’s has taught me more. The group support gave me stability- taught me how to live. I had to open up - I had to confront deep, dark issues. Eva’s gave me more tools and support - I learned that I needed to listen and to follow directions- I realized I needed the structure - Eva’s gave me a stable environment, I was supported.
I finally recognized it was up to me - I had to stop going to recovery programs just to get a tune up I always gravitated back to street life, the same people, same places and same things. I realized I can’t be with people like that.
Eva’s Village saved my life and opened doors—helped me to stay focused. I needed to follow a goal and I knew I need to stick with those people who supported me; and today, I encourage those in recovery. I arrange speakers for detox programs and I attend lots of meetings. By listening to others at Eva’s I hear my own story and can see the way out. I know that I’m not alone, and my story can be somebody else’s It makes me more grateful for what I have.
My sponsor is still my sponsor today. - Now I have people I can call. I don’t have to deal with problems alone. Now I know I need a destination when I go out. I have made a home at Eva’s. In 2013 I moved into an Eva’s Village apartment. I love my home. I’ll never throw that back to God.
I knew I needed to stay busy - I was encouraged to apply to Eva’s Culinary School in 2014. I decided to give it a shot. It was a challenge. Every day I wanted to quit, but my peers encouraged me. And I didn’t quit. I was so proud to have finished something! It feels good to finish. I got my GED and Culinary School certificate. I’m still close to my Culinary School mentor. I’m still excited about the whole thing.
I came back to my childhood dream, when I started playing basketball at the Boys & Girls Club - Now, I’m working there serving food. It’s a good feeling. I get to know the kids, and I volunteer at Eva’s Recovery Community Center. That’s where it started for me. I can never forget that place. It became my safe haven. Today, am 6 years clean. ~ Wendy H.
I came from a good family. I was an only child, and I never knew my father. My mother had experienced trauma and was very strict. She took care of me but couldn’t give me her love when I was growing up. She told me I was worthless. So I got into drugs and drinking early, looking for love on the outside. My dream was to play pro basketball, and I was good. I won 2 scholarships, but I dropped out in 11th grade. I was too far gone with drugs.
I was in pain for many years. I was torn up. My self esteem was in the basement. I was that person that said I’d never do this; never do that. All my nevers came true. I wanted to use and I didn’t want to - I wanted to do recovery my way—didn’t want to follow the program. I graduated from 6 recovery programs. Every time I gained stuff, I’d lose it by using. Every time, I let it all go - That’s my story. I lose everything.
I finally recognized it was up to me—I had to stop going to recovery programs just to get a tune-up I always gravitated back to street life, the same people, same places, same things. I realized I can’t be with people like that.
When I came to Eva’s for shelter and help with my addiction, I felt hopeless. I had lost everything. I came here with nothing. I had to start all over. I was ashamed to confront my past - but I realized that it was not about the people who hurt me; it was about me this time - and I had survived the worst.
I first found hope in Eva’s shelter - I had a good crew - many still around and are clean today. When I started recovery at Eva’s, my sponsor jumped right in - she already knew what I needed to do. Always thought I could do it on my own and my way - Eva’s has taught me more. The group support gave me stability- taught me how to live. I had to open up - I had to confront deep, dark issues. Eva’s gave me more tools and support - I learned that I needed to listen and to follow directions- I realized I needed the structure - Eva’s gave me a stable environment, I was supported.
I finally recognized it was up to me - I had to stop going to recovery programs just to get a tune up I always gravitated back to street life, the same people, same places and same things. I realized I can’t be with people like that.
Eva’s Village saved my life and opened doors—helped me to stay focused. I needed to follow a goal and I knew I need to stick with those people who supported me; and today, I encourage those in recovery. I arrange speakers for detox programs and I attend lots of meetings. By listening to others at Eva’s I hear my own story and can see the way out. I know that I’m not alone, and my story can be somebody else’s It makes me more grateful for what I have.
My sponsor is still my sponsor today. - Now I have people I can call. I don’t have to deal with problems alone. Now I know I need a destination when I go out. I have made a home at Eva’s. In 2013 I moved into an Eva’s Village apartment. I love my home. I’ll never throw that back to God.
I knew I needed to stay busy - I was encouraged to apply to Eva’s Culinary School in 2014. I decided to give it a shot. It was a challenge. Every day I wanted to quit, but my peers encouraged me. And I didn’t quit. I was so proud to have finished something! It feels good to finish. I got my GED and Culinary School certificate. I’m still close to my Culinary School mentor. I’m still excited about the whole thing.
I came back to my childhood dream, when I started playing basketball at the Boys & Girls Club - Now, I’m working there serving food. It’s a good feeling. I get to know the kids, and I volunteer at Eva’s Recovery Community Center. That’s where it started for me. I can never forget that place. It became my safe haven. Today, am 6 years clean. ~ Wendy H.
