Jenny Shares Her Story …

Childhood was a difficult time for me, with lots of dads and lots of moving.  Inside, I felt a desperate longing to fit in and belong, and it was only after falling in with a group of self proclaimed “losers” that I felt accepted and free to be myself.  I began drinking and smoking marijuana, and occasionally using cocaine.  Adding to the problem, at 16 I moved out of my mother’s home and in with my drug addicted father who would get high with me.

Life began to seriously spiral out of control when I regularly started using methamphetamines.  The drug quickly got a hold of me and I found myself in jail four times within two years.   Finally, my boyfriend decided to enter a rehab and although I initially was not ready to straighten out, I changed my mind and sought help to beat my addiction.   I completed a 30 day detox program, and at my sponsor’s urging, I turned myself in to take care of outstanding warrants stemming from felony drug charges.  

When I found out that I was pregnant, I knew that I needed a structured program in order to become ready to support my baby.  I was working hard to stay sober, and couldn’t find a place to live that I could afford.  That’s when I came to Casa Teresa.  I gave birth to a beautiful and healthy baby, Lucas. 

Since coming to Casa Teresa, much has changed for me.  I am working to obtain my GED, and plan to enter Cypress College to become a Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor.

My boyfriend recently proposed and we hope to marry next year now that we have both completed our individual programs and are secure in our sobriety and financial situations.

Casa Teresa has meant so much to me.  It is a place that leaves you better than you were. You leave here with so much more than you came in with. I feel more secure in being a mother because I have been educated and I know what I am doing.  Dr. Pugh changed my life; every one here says that about him.  Nurse Kerri was wonderful.  She helped me understand what was going on with my body and helped me understand what to expect.  That made me feel so prepared and secure.   Most people are looking for a pity party. You won’t get that here at Casa Teresa. They will help you, but you have to do the work and all the while they show you how and they support you.

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