I found myself pregnant and homeless after a two-year binge. I had handed over my two children to their fathers, lost my career, lost my car and home. I owed the courts and had huge legal responsibilities uncompleted. I knew I needed help but had no idea where to turn. After contacting 211 I was given several resources. One of these resources was Casa Teresa. The moment I was greeted at the doors for my interview I knew I was in a safe place. However, I was terrified. I wanted to get into this home so badly. The staff made me feel safe and told me I could recover from my losses. I could be free again living in society. Be a good mother again and know how to love myself. I knew if I didn't get help I would die. The next day I received a call from Susan Lockard, the case manager I had met with for my interview. I had been accepted. Grateful and humbled, I moved my things into my new room. I remember how bright and cheerful the room felt. It was a studio with one other pregnant woman. We had each other. As I began my search for self-love, I found many emotions. My case manager provided a shoulder to cry on when I was so filled with these emotions. It was a very hard transition, to trusting another human being with my life decisions. I never knew Grace before. I attended personal empowerment classes and learned how to sharpen my resume. Nurse Kerri taught me of what to expect in my pregnancy and was always available to take my calls at all hours of the day or night. House moms held me when I cried and showed me the power of prayer. It took time, but I did let go of my instincts and defenses. I learned to trust those around me. They loved me for no reason and there was nothing in it for them to see me fail. I surrendered and embraced the program wholeheartedly. Instantly life got easier. I followed the direction of my case manager and trusted that she knew what I could have in life if I succeeded. I took in everything the classes given had to offer. For the first time in my life, my room was clean and organized, my problems were solved quickly with a simple solution, my AA meetings made sense and I was not alone. When Christmas came, I came home to my bed completely covered with gifts! These gifts were not only for me and my unborn child, but also for my two other children whom I now visited frequently. I remember the feeling of grace and how I cried. What an amazing Christmas. A month before my child was to be born, I was moved into my own studio. I was able to prepare and decorate for my baby. Everything was so organized and perfect. I felt the peace set in. The time had come for me to give birth to my daughter Bella. I was so scared to go through this alone in a high-risk labor. Casa Teresa equipped me with a doula. Together we planned and practiced for my labor. I went through my labor naturally and felt so empowered. When I returned home my bed was completely covered with a layette decorated of bright colors and patterns of all my favorites for my newborn child and myself. The next two weeks I was able to stay home and bond with my baby. I've never in my life had the opportunity to know every inch of my child. Casa Teresa provided the environment for me to have that precious time with Bella. I gradually transitioned over the next few weeks back to consistent class attendance. The transition felt empowering. Every day I have someone new telling me how good I was doing and how beautiful my baby was. When my daughter turned two months I was excepted into the next phase of Casa Teresa`s program, Transformation 1. Upon entering, I hit the ground running. I obtained a full-time job, reliable childcare, completed my DUI classes and community service. I now owe nothing to the court and have a car that gets me around. I have over a year of sobriety and am actively working the twelve steps of recovery. I attend church every weekend and have partial custody of one of my older children. I live one day at a time and my routine is consistent and happy. I see myself able to accomplish my goals if I take them a day at a time now. My future looks brighter every day. I am proud of myself and I love who I see in the mirror. I look forward to healthy weight loss, financial stability, consistency, and returning to society stable and bright. One day I hope to help others the way I've been shown to help myself. Casa Teresa changed my life. I never have to live the way I was living ever again. Casa Teresa is my home.
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