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Demographics | ||||
Renee's Story
I am a mother of 4 with 2 grandchildren. I have a job working with homeless women – I have worked there for 5 years. I live in my own apartment, I am attending homebuyer’s classes and my goal is to by my own home. Today I am a role model for my children and the women where I work, but it hasn’t always been that way. I am a recovering addict. I used drugs for 20 years. My life began to change when I found out I was pregnant with my fourth child. At that time the Department of Social Services (DSS) stepped in and took my children into custody. I was alone in my three-bedroom apartment still using, unhappy, confused, and scared. I knew it was time to do something about my life.
I called a detox (detoxification) program, received a bed, packed my clothes for 6 months, and got on a Greyhound bus. When I arrived at the detox program, I was very very sick - my blood pressure and pulse rate were low - so they rushed me to the hospital. I went to the hospital 3 times but I was determined to change my life. When I was strong enough to stand and speak, I asked to be put on the list to live in the residential program. Staff thought it was too early for me to make this decision, but I knew this was what I wanted and needed to stay clean. I called everyday — staff was surprised. They told me that anyone looking for treatment that bad deserved a bed and they would hold one for me when I finished detox.
During my stay in the 6-month residential program, I was evicted from my apartment in Boston for non-payment of rent.
Nonetheless, I completed the program. When I returned to Boston, I had nowhere to live. I desperately wanted to reunite with my children so I agreed to enter a shelter. I had lived at the shelter for 3 weeks when I learned about a transitional house that had a 3-bedroom unit available. My social worker said she was too busy to make a referral. I knew the unit would be taken if I didn't call that day so I pleaded with her until she made the referral. She made the referral to Brookview House.
After my interview at Brookview House, my adrenalin was pumping. Things were happening real fast for me. When they told me I was accepted, I started crying. They were tears full of joy. Moving into Brookview House was a wonderful experience for my whole family who came together to help me move in. They all helped to make my new place home. The next day my DSS worker came and gave me my baby back.
My life changed completely while living at Brookview House. They had so many resources. The Housing Advocate helped me to make payment arrangements for the past due rent on my last apartment. I sent payments every month. Another Advocate from Brookview House went with me to the courthouse because I had 4 outstanding warrants. Because the court officers could see that I was changing my life, I received probation, some fines, and was selected to attend a program called Creating Lives Through Literature at Boston College. I attended 2 days during the week and Saturdays, graduated from the program, and received an achievement award.
The Advocates at Brookview House connected me to the Alcoholism & Chemical Dependency Treatment Services Program at the University of Massachusetts-Boston. The course was 3 semesters long and it was tough because I had not been in school for 25 years. I completed my internship at a local detox program. I was determined to get a job as a counselor in the substance abuse field so I struggled and refused to give up and the job I have today came through. That was 5 years ago. My life changed completely while living at Brookview House and today I am helping others to change their lives. | ||||
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