Being born and raised in Broward County I faced some challenges with old playgrounds, playmates, and playthings. My family originally tried to get me clean in 2007, but I wasn’t ready. I chose to leave home somewhere around 2009 and was placed on 12 years of probation shortly after that. I was arrested on my 3rd violation of probation on June 3rd, 2013, and I was sentenced to treatment with a hefty, suspended sentence if I violated again. I completed treatment at BARC and was sent to Fellowship Recovery Community Organization on a scholarship. I had nothing to my name, except the garbage bag full of donated clothes from BARC and my jail slides.
Being born and raised in Broward County I faced some challenges with old playgrounds, playmates, and playthings. My family originally tried to get me clean in 2007, but I wasn’t ready. I chose to leave home somewhere around 2009 and was placed on 12 years of probation shortly after that. I was arrested on my 3rd violation of probation on June 3rd, 2013, and I was sentenced to treatment with a hefty, suspended sentence if I violated again. I completed treatment at BARC and was sent to Fellowship Recovery Community Organization on a scholarship. I had nothing to my name, except the garbage bag full of donated clothes from BARC and my jail slides.
Initially I thought about using. If I’m honest I thought about using for months after I got clean this time. Thankfully I chose to honor my own word to God that I would stay clean for one year. The 1st six months of my recovery I spent at Fellowship RCO. I was not very motivated and not employable. Because of this I had to find ways to pay my rent and I had to stay out during the daytime hours. I babysat and cleaned houses and spent most of my free time in meeting spaces. I’m so grateful for the structure because it forced me to get involved in a 12-step fellowship.
I took on service commitments at the home group level, allowing me to build connections I would need to stay clean when life showed up. Honestly it was the most inconvenient and incredible experience in my early recovery. Since then, I have rekindled my relationships with my mother and sisters, gone back to school for my Human Resources Certification, become the loving paw-rent to a beautiful chocolate lab and couple of guinea pigs, quit my corporate job to chase my dreams, been of service to my community and recently; I have gotten engaged to the most incredible man I’ve ever met.
Being able to wake up every day in a home full of love and compassion and paint for a living is something I never dreamed of.
Almost 9 years ago I was homeless, jobless, broken, afraid, and angry. There was no light at the end of the tunnel. Well actually there was, but I thought it was a train. I never thought that I could change. I’ve learned that life doesn’t get better; but with some good friends and some spiritual principles, all things are possible if I stay clean. Every step on my journey has shown me that the light at the end of the tunnel is really a way out, and putting in the work is really the easiest, softer way. It’s so worth it.
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