I ‘caught a case’ in October 2008 and faced two years in prison. I spent 90 days in county jail where I had my son, and then I was off to Marysville. There I attended every meeting and church group and did everything I could to keep my mind in a positive place. While at Marysville, I found a God of my understanding and thought about what I would do with my life when I left prison. How would I maintain my sobriety and sanity? Where would I go? I didn’t want to go home and get the same results I always had.

I was released from prison January 23, 2011 and was sent to a women?s crisis center, but that place was not right for me. Then God spoke to me through a woman who knew that after 18 years of addiction, I needed to be shown a better way by people who had been where I had been and spoke from the heart. She told me about Jean Marie House, and they had a bed for me! Feb. 14, 2011 was the first day of the rest of my new life! I saw people working the steps and living the promises. I had never had any of these things before because I was searching in all the wrong places.

“I saw people working the steps and living the promises. I had never had any of these things before because I was searching in all the wrong places.”

I got busy right away! I did what was asked of me and more. I went to meetings, worked the steps, made coffee, and got a sponsor. I attended GED classes, got a job, my license, a car! I never missed a parole appointment. I became a real mother, daughter, niece, and friend. The promises were coming true! I kept a commitment and completed nine months at Jean Marie.

Today I am three years sober and have my own house to live in. Thank you, Jean Marie House and Ed Keating Center. I couldn’t have done it without you! You taught me to be independent and step out in faith and trust God. They say that when you are ready the teacher will appear, and for me Jean Marie House was the teacher. I love you all!