that I never acknowledged - that I was a good person who cared about others and had a lot of potential. VIP supported my efforts and encouraged me toward a career path. After two years, I applied and got a job as a counselor assistant at VIP's shelter for homeless women. I felt so incredibly grateful that my life was taking a different direction. At the end of this year, I will celebrate my sixth anniversary in recovery. I work in a foster care agency as a parent advocate and, I love my job. It makes me happy to help people who are very much like the person I used to be. VIP gave me a place to live, a chance to understand who I really am, and put me on a career track."
—A VIP Graduate
"My spirit was lifted at VIP.
For the first time in my life, I started planning my future. I wanted to change my whole lifestyle, get a trade, go to school and be a productive person in society. Today I know what I really want out of life, and I owe it to VIP. They helped me do things I never thought I could do. When I was drugging, I would push my kids away because all I could think of was the next deal. Now I'm learning how to be a parent. My relationship with my kids is a whole lot better, and cherish every chance I get to be with them."
—A VIP Graduate
"When I came here, I was full of fears.
Treatment for me was frightening at the beginning. I never had a loving and caring family. So one of the most important things in my treatment was learning to love me. Once I loved me, I didn't have to depend on what people could do for me. My daughter was always welcome at the facility, and we had counseling sessions together. I knew deep inside my heart that I could be a good mother. Now I'm the role model. My kids are proud of me, and I'm proud of them."
—A VIP Graduate
"Living on the street and using, you have no trust.
You think that people look at you and don't care - but I came to find out that's not true. The only thing I had to do was care about myself a little bit. At VIP I found out I didn't have to live the life I was living. I also learned that I'm a good person, and I care about other people, too. Now I'm happy to be doing just what I'm doing. I don't I don't have any lofty goals. My only goal is to make sure I stay clean. If I can do that, I can help somebody else do the same thing."
—A VIP Graduate
