Theadora’s Journey

From the Summer 2009 ENYB Newsletter

Graduation is a time for celebration; representing the beginning and not the end of life. My adventure to graduation day was an exciting journey for me.

The start of my journey began when I got expelled from ASTEC Charter High School; at the end of my 10th grade year, only to bring me to SeeWorth Academy. At SeeWorth, my mind was set on “graduation mode” but my emotions were in a bunch. SeeWorth enabled me to keep my head on straight, but still I wasn’t quite as focused.

A friend of mine introduced me to Youth-Build; including the benefits that would await me. After beginning YouthBuild, I started accomplishing some of my goals I set out to accomplish before. Since YouthBuild I have been going to college pursuing my ultimate goal in getting a degree in accounting so that one day I can open my own bakery business. I do not look back on my past with regrets, I look back being thankful for how far I have come.

Theadora Lewis was the Valedictorian for the YouthBuild 2009 Graduating Class. Congratulations to her and to all graduates and completers!

Stacy's Story

I had a great life and two beautiful daughters, but in November 1994 I got a divorce and my ex-husband received custody of my daughters, who were ages 3 and 6. I had to give the girls to him on my birthday. I wanted to die and did not get out of bed for weeks. A friend of mine told me he had something that would make me feel better and he offered me methamphetamines. It made me feel good and took away the pain of not having my girls, but only temporarily, so I started using daily. About six months later I found out I was pregnant and somehow managed to stop using until I had my daughter, but when she was 3 months old I started using again. Within a year my life was so unmanageable.

My ex-husband was making over one hundred grand a year while I got arrested for having over $10,000 in hot checks. After I got out of jail I found out that I was pregnant again. However, this time, I could not quit using drugs and used methamphetamines daily during my entire pregnancy. When I took my son home he was showing signs of withdrawals. By the grace of God my son is a healthy boy today, but I continued to use methamphetamines daily.

Then one day I was pulled over and was charged with possession of methamphetamines. The judge ordered me to do 30 days in an inpatient treatment center. I did 29 days and when I got out I went to AA and NA meetings and stayed clean for about a year and a half. I was getting my girls on the weekends and life was great. But my second husband was an over the road truck driver and was still using. I asked him to bring some home one day and that was when I relapsed. Because of my drug use my ex-husband would no longer let my girls come and see me and I was in trouble with the law in the town we lived so we moved to another town. By this time I had a $200 a day habit and my husband and I started cooking methamphetamines in our home. At this point I began using drugs with a needle and was taking about 6 shots a day. I had four children by this time not counting the two I had previously lost.

In February of 2004 I received a call that my baby brother had hung himself. I cannot tell you the pain I felt. I was doing about 10 shots a day now trying to kill the pain and I had given up on God. On March 10, 2004 the DEA came in and took me and my husband to jail for six months and took my children into DHS custody. I missed my children so badly and was scared I would never see them again. We went to court in July of 2004 and my husband was sentenced to 10 years in prison. I was given 10 years probation and ordered to outpatient treatment. I got out of jail and moved in with my husband’s father who was also using drugs. I started going to outpatient treatment and attending NA meetings again.

I was getting supervised visits with my children one day a week. I stayed clean for 6 months, then relapsed again and could not see my children anymore. I stopped attending my meetings and stopped reporting to my probation officer. I met a guy and went on the road with him and we started cooking methamphetamines together. I was using more than I ever had before and the courts were filling the paperwork to terminate my parental rights. They issued a warrant for my arrest for probation violation. I went on the run for 6 months.
In May of 2005 I found out I was pregnant again and I was arrested in July of 2005. I went to court and the judge denied my bond. He said he was done with me and that he was sending me to prison. He told me that I would have my baby in prison and the system would take it away. The next day I went to court on a motion to terminate my parental rights, but they postponed the court date. I was so scared and so alone. I had truly had enough and I prayed and I asked God to help me and I meant it from the bottom of my heart. I was broken down and had nowhere to turn but to God. I began reading my bible and going to church services that were held in the jail. I prayed for God to change the judge’s mind and to get me help instead. I went to court on November 10th and the judge told me he had a change of heart and that he was going to send me to Eagle Ridge Family Treatment Center instead of prison. He told me that it was a long term residential treatment center and that I could keep my baby there and they would help me get my children back. I hit my knees and thanked God.

On November 29, 2005 I entered ERFTC. I finally surrendered. I went in with an open mind and willingness to change and do better. They loved me until I loved my self again. In January I gave birth to a beautiful healthy baby girl. I was happier than I had ever been. I worked with my counselor and the staff. They taught me the importance of being honest, having integrity, how to forgive others as well as myself, and how to deal with life on life’s terms without using drugs. After being at ERFTC for 6 months my 4 children came to live with me. I had 5 children living with me at ERFTC. I have to say it was very difficult but I was determined to make it. After having my children for 6 months I earned full custody and my case was dismissed.
Although my mother passed away in February 2007, I had the love and support from the staff and friends and I did not have to use drugs.

I graduated from treatment March 29, 2007. Today I work for Eagle Ridge Family Treatment Center as an AmeriCorps VISTA performing community outreach and fundraising, and I still attend AA and NA meeting daily. I can not say enough about ERFTC. Nothing else worked but ERFTC. They cared about me and never judged me for my past. I just want to say thank you for giving me another chance at life.