A person is not born a champion – they are made through hard work, dedication and a commitment. Many, like Santa Maria Recovery Coach Michele, have had to overcome many trials and hardships to earn it.

Michele’s story, like so many here at Santa Maria, begins with serving a lengthy prison term on a felony conviction after loosing the battle with drugs and alcohol. Once released from prison Michele was ready to start her life but quickly fell victim to crack cocaine and her “old ways.” She soon found herself pregnant, and upon delivery of the baby, Children Protection Services (CPS) was called in to remove her child due to the drug exposure. Before the child was taken from Michele, she had a moment to hold her baby and at that second, Michele told herself that it was time for a change.

Michele was admitted to Santa Maria for treatment and recovery and will be the first one to say that it was a difficult situation. “I hated Santa Maria at first. There were too many rules to follow and I found it hard to deal with.” Michele wasn’t able to complete her treatment the first time around but was convinced by her husband (then boyfriend) to return to Santa Maria and try again. After returning, Michele soon realized that people cared about her and that Santa Maria was there to help. Michele commented, “I have a lot of respect for Santa Maria. They took me back and showed me how much they cared.” Soon Michele was on her path to recovery and turning her life around and became known as the “super star client.” After treatment, Michele got involved helping others by volunteering for Santa Maria and championing the cause of substance abuse treatment and recovery.

Fast forward several years later, Michele is now on staff at Santa Maria as a Recovery Coach offering her real-life experiences and thoughts to those going through what she did years ago. She has become an outspoken advocate for recovery and provides life-changing coaching to the clients of Santa Maria. Michele stated that, “I really love being a recovery coach and offering a team-centered whole health approach to the ladies. I am their coach, their cheerleader and their advocate.”   Additionally, Michele serves as a Parent Advocate volunteer for CPS, providing first-hand knowledge of how to best reunite mother and child(ren).

Michele is not done yet. She has recently received her Mental Health Peer Specialist Certificate (Recovery Coach) and is currently enrolled in college to obtain her Associates degree. She plans to pursue a Masters in Social Work specializing in trauma and youth. Michele is so grateful to her family especially her children and husband who never gave up on her and were by her side every step of the way.   Michele, we are so proud of you. Thank you for being a Champion for the recovery cause!

Today I am someone new

Santa Maria it’s because of you

You take the time out of your lives

To make me feel like I am someone real

I’ve never had someone show me the way

For this I am THANKFUL

Words could never say

If it wasn’t for me being here

I wouldn’t have whom I hold dear

To have and to hold them every night

Makes me know I’ll never lose sight

My sobriety is everything to me

Thank you Santa Maria for the tools and letting me see

Whom I am THE REAL ME.

Written by former Santa Maria client, Jennifer W.

 

Imagine life behind bars. Now imagine serving time in prison while you are carrying a child. Although many of us could not imagine this situation let alone know how we would react, there are numerous women in Texas that are facing this occurrence as a stark reality. On average, there are approximately 250 babies that are born to Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) offenders each year. Some of these women are denied that critical period of bonding with their baby after birth, and the infant is usually placed with caregivers until the mother is eligible for release. For others, like Carolyn, there is Santa Maria’s BAMBI program (Baby and Mother Bonding Initiative).

Pregnant and behind bars on a theft case, Carolyn didn’t have much to believe in, especially herself, until she was selected to take part of the BAMBI program at Santa Maria. Upon arrival, Carolyn was overwhelmed at the facilities and the array of services offered through BAMBI. “One of the first things I did in BAMBI is to take a hard look at myself.” Carolyn continued, “BAMBI made me realize that I had a problem with alcohol and I needed to change.”   Carolyn took full advantage of the services offered through BAMBI and also took to heart the lessons learned from trials and tribulations of her fellow BAMBI residents. Carolyn recalls that “everywhere I turned there were positive female role models for me to follow and that above all else, turned my life around.”   She continued, “It changed my mind frame and I began to believe in myself again.”   While in group sessions, Carolyn’s baby was being well taken care of by the caring and compassionate staff at Santa Maria. Carolyn reflected that “the care my daughter received was great and they did it the right way. I deeply appreciate the support and structure that BAMBI offered both me and my daughter.”

Today, Carolyn is in Dallas with her children and with help from her family she is working her recovery one day at a time. Carolyn’s future is bright as she is attending Barber College and volunteers her time helping other women in recovery.

Carolyn, keep working your recovery and never stop believing!

Not wanting to drink again is in my heart. That is how I am able to abstain now. I am self-controlled in that matter. Before I went to Santa Maria not drinking was only in my head and I am not self-disciplined. I could not quit just by telling myself that I did not want to drink anymore.

The secret for me was getting it from my head to my heart. I believe that happened in the course of my writing during therapy at Santa Maria. I was able to move not wanting to drink from my head to my heart.

I was initially afraid when I left Santa Maria wondering what I would do when the bad moods struck, I have been up, down and all around since I left Santa Maria and I have not drank. The only explanation I have is that it is in my heart to not drink again.

Words from former client Lauri W.

“Hi, my name Brandy and I am a graduate of Santa Maria Hostel. I was introduced to Santa Maria on August 6, 2012 through their Path to Recovery/Recovery Support Services program. Since coming to Santa Maria I have completed two 90-day programs and participated in GED Fast Track. I now live at Santa Maria in their HUD housing program and my two kids, Des’Riunnah and La’Troy, have been returned to my care. This program has brought nothing but success into my life. I am very grateful for everything Santa Maria has offered me. I am now on my way to making wise decisions that are going to take me a long way in life. I am now waiting for permanent housing and going to school to be a Forklift Operator. I now put recovery first and follow suggestions that my Recovery Coach offers. Big thanks to all the Counselors and Staff at Santa Maria for changing my life.”