True Stories
Phoenix House Graduates
KATHERINE W.
Staff at Phoenix House Santa Fe Springs
After years of drug use, I entered Phoenix House in Santa Fe Springs, California, on May 9th, 2000, with my twins, Amanda and Rachel, who were both four years old. I was a single mother, working on being a better parent to my twins than I was to my older children Veronica, Sophie, and Brian. I completed the Phoenix House residential drug treatment program on March 23rd, 2001 and became an active alumna, regularly returning to the alumni meetings and house events with the mothers and children of Phoenix House. I still come back seeking guidance and counseling from the program’s staff. The people of Phoenix House played a very important part in making me the person I am today—oh, and let me not forget the women and children I call my recovery sisters!
When I enrolled in the program, I lacked parenting skills, life skills and education, so I worked hard on parenting skills and gained more and more information to become what I wanted so much to be: a Good Mother. I also worked very hard on relapse prevention, learning what my triggers are and how to identify them and get through the day without relapse. I knew I could stay clean for a couple years, but then I would relapse again, and again. I wanted to prevent this. Phoenix House helped me to do it. Here, I gained the skills to be that better parent and learn to work through my everyday problems that, in the past, had eventually led to my relapses.
Phoenix House also supported my return to school. While at Phoenix House, I attended Bryman College, where I was enrolled in a program to become a Medical Administrative Assistant. I graduated with honors while still a resident of Phoenix House. This achievement showed me that I could deal with life on life’s terms, without escaping into drugs. My new skills allowed me to become an Administrative Assistant at Phoenix House Santa Fe Springs. Hired in July 9, 2001, I have continued working here and I have become the dedicated staff member that I am today.
While working at the SFS facility, I continued my efforts geared towards gaining custody of my older daughters, Veronica and Sophie, who had lost all trust in me as their mother and did not want any contact with me. I continued to have faith in the Higher Power, believing that when He felt I was ready, they would want to come back to me. I continued to return to court and wait for the day my daughters would come back into my life. That day came on June 7, 2003: Veronica and Sophie returned to me. It is not all easy regaining custody of your children after five years. There is a lot of work you have to do: relationships to repair, trust to regain. We have to fix what we have broken through our addiction.
I am now a strong woman of recovery. Today, I am very active as a parent to my girls for whom I stress the importance of education, instill morals and family values. I have continued attending college classes at Rio Hondo College to enhance my education and to prepare myself for a better life in recovery.
The younger twins are now twelve years old and work hard dealing with their adolescence and school. Veronica is 21 years old and attends Rio Hondo College, studying for her associate’s degree. Sophie is 19 and she too attends Rio Hondo College; her goal is to become a massage therapist. I am very proud of Veronica and Sophie. They have had a hard life dealing with my drug addiction, yet they have chosen to overcome those odds. We all still live together, working toward a better life and future. As for my son, Brian, I have contacted him via the internet but I am waiting for the day he is ready to start a relationship with me. With my faith, I trust that day will come.
Phoenix House has been a part of my family for over 9 years. I am grateful for their help and guidance throughout my recovery. My children and I can walk through these doors and know that it is still home to us.
Note: The names of children have been changed to protect their identity.