I came to Casa Teresa (EMS) in September 2017, then moved to parenting in January 2018. When I first came in I was confused. I wasn’t sure what would be of my life. I’m used to programs (rehab) where it’s just stay sober, follow the rules, and that’s it.
When I moved to Casa Teresa, it was different. Of course there are rules, but that wasn’t new. What was different about Casa Teresa? The Case Managers are very caring. They want a future for us. Being in Casa Teresa made me realize I was doing the right thing. I was following the right path. As soon as I came in, I started a Mariposa program which has helped me a lot in my recovery. I got an Act nurse, which helped me with any questions I had of my pregnancy. There’s also Maria, who helped me get in school right away and also helped with my transportation. Coming in here game me hope to live differently. Moving to parenting I got a different Case Manager. We met right away. Susan, my Case Manager, Dr. Pugh and the house moms have worked with me very well. Meeting with Susan weekly has been very helpful and relieving. She’s made me see my self-worth, made me realize what my goals are. Since I have been here I feel like a completely different person, with different dreams and goals with such a great confidence in being a mother and knowing that when I have questions or doubts I have people here that help me out. I was here for my birthday, Christmas, Thanksgiving and other special holidays. It was so much joy. Casa Teresa has helped me in so many ways I don’t look back in my past anymore. I have two children that I’ve lost my parental rights to, but I still have visitation. My Case Manager has helped me and made a way to still see them weekly. Because of my two other children being removed of my care due to my past, my daughter was removed from my care in March. Dr. Pugh and Susan both were very great support and helped me cope with everything going on and stuck by me. Thanks to Casa Teresa and all the parenting classes, life skills, etc. I have my daughter here with me and I am able to be a mother to her. A mother who is now been sober for a year, who has goals and who wants a good future for herself and her children. Casa Teresa has been one of the greatest things that happened to me!
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Last week, Jill and I threw a baby shower for the moms in the parenting program. We’d been planning it on and off since we arrived at the beginning of June. Having never planned a shower before, I quickly realized that there are lots of little details that go on behind the scenes to make it a success.
We decided on a royal theme, and created games and decorations. We were blessed to have an amazing volunteer make lunch, which really took a lot of stress away from us. My favorite part of the planning process, though, was choosing gifts for the moms from the parenting closet. There were so many cute baby clothes to look through, and we tried to customize each gift bag to the mom. Decorating took place the morning of the shower, and by the time our guests of honor started to arrive, I was sweaty and slightly bruised from falling off a chair while trying to hang a streamer. However, all of the decorating sweat and planning stress paid off in full once the party got underway! We were getting really into the games, racing to match celebrity babies to their famous parents and arguing over which baby picture belonged to which staff member. The best part, though, came when it was time to open gifts. Each mom opened their presents in front of everyone, and we all, "oohed and ahhed", accordingly. After the shower was over, it was clear that our attendees appreciated the time, effort, and love we put in, and that they had a great time. As for me, I was just glad that everyone had fun and that the decorations were much easier to pull down than they were to put up. |
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