Changes For The Better

I’m a 37-year-old woman who has made use, in the past year, of several programs and agencies designed to help people see a different way to live. I couldn’t have made it this far without the programs and the good people working in them. They have allowed me to take a new journey in life.

I grew up in a dysfunctional family. I got married at 17 and quit high school. The marriage was abusive. By the time I reached my 30s, my life was a mess. I had five children, no husband and a drug and alcohol problems off and on.

Last November, I started drug and alcohol treatment after Child Protective Services took my kids away because we were homeless and because I had the substance abuse problem. Caseworkers encouraged me to get help and told me about some programs available.

I also went to live in Ogden Hall, a homeless shelter for women and children. I stayed there a month-and-a-half and I learned values and a direction for myself. I took parenting classes there that taught me different strategies to deal with my children. I then moved into a rent-to-own trailer which Ogden Hall staff helped me furnish. They were wonderful. Shortly thereafter, I found a church I liked, Central United Methodist. The people there accept me for where I came from. I’m even on the church softball team!

Then, I enrolled in the Change Point program at Spokane Falls Community College. I learned self-esteem and how to take care of myself. Eventually, my kids came back from foster care and now live with me again.

I’m working on my GED and I’m going to take a computer class soon. I volunteer at my children’s school and for the city of Airway Heights. I’m hoping, through my volunteer work, to get some job skills. My goal is to be off welfare soon and land a good job.

I call my CPS caseworker and let him know that I’m doing well now. Having my kids taken away was my wake-up call. It made me realize that I needed to take a hard look at myself. I also thank the people at Ogden Hall and Change Point and I let the people at my church know how much I appreciate them.

Because of all these caring people, I have a new life now. I needed help and I got it. Someday, I hope to help others see that there is another way to live.

MEMO: Your Turn is a feature of the Wednesday and Saturday Opinion pages. To submit a Your Turn column for consideration, contact Rebecca Nappi at 459-5496 or Doug Floyd at 459-5466 or write Your Turn, The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210-1615.