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"I learned to believe that anything is possible.
Before VIP, my thinking always got me into trouble. Because I believed I needed drugs to cope, for over 15 years, I was and in and out of jail. My family took control of raising my child, and my life seemed pointless. I remember wishing to be one of the productive people I used to see going to work each morning.
"Then VIP staff helped me create a vision and have hope for my future. I learned to believe that anything is possible. Eventually, I let VIP guide me through the journey of life. At that point, the fog began to lift and my life started to change. Individual counseling helped me recognize that my thinking was upside down. Through groups, I learned to give myself a break by beginning to forgive myself. As my recovery progressed, I became actively involved in more VIP services. I participated in vocational activities and my dream of becoming a productive member of society began to take shape.
"For the past five years I have been gainfully employed with not just one, but two jobs. I am a full time Housing Specialist for a foster care agency as well as a part time residential counselor in another agency. Today I am nine years clean, working hard, and giving back all that was so freely given to me. My son, my three granddaughters, and my Family are important parts of my life. And I am now the productive member of Society that I once only dreamed of becoming.
"Thank you VIP for helping shape me into the woman I am today."
—Brandy
"My counselor saw something special in me
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
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