Lena’s Story

After many years of abusing drugs, Lena knew she had to make a change. She began using drugs as a young adult, a habit that spiraled out of control after she married her husband. When he was incarcerated, she found herself unable to pay her rent or keep a job.

Lena realized she struggled with addiction, and registered a sobriety program at a local treatment center. After completing the 30-day program, she was unsure about what her next step would be. Her counselor there referred her to Calvary. She remembers, “I didn’t know what to expect, but I trusted that it was a safe place to go.”

At Calvary, she began taking steps toward her goals. With the support of her case manager, she enrolled in a local literacy center, where a teacher helped her manage her dyslexia and improve her literacy skills. She worked closely with her case manager and on-site therapist to manage her anxiety, and attended Life Skills, Education and Arts Program (LEAP) classes. These regular activities helped her rebuild her self-esteem.

But maintaining her sobriety remains Lena’s biggest achievement. She was early in her recovery when she came to Calvary, and earlier this year, she celebrated her first full year of sobriety. She said, “Sobriety is the first thing I’ve done for me. My case manager keeps me on track, and I have a good sponsor and a solid network of friends and family who support me.”

One year after coming to Calvary, Lena is ready for the next chapter of her life.  Last month, she graduated from Calvary’s transitional housing program and moved into independent living.  She is rightfully proud of the skills she developed at Calvary, and is eager to continue to improve her literacy skills and get a job as a home care aide.

“I’m taking care of myself in my own place,” she said. “And I’m so grateful to Calvary. I learned how to love myself there.”