The grief she suffered from her father’s death pushed Claire off the path to the future he wanted for her. She dropped out of college, started using drugs, and fell under the spell of an abusive man. Eight years passed in a fog of alcohol, drugs and domestic violence. Four children were born, and she was pregnant again.

Then five-year old Stephanie, who suffered from asthma, came down with pneumonia and died in the hospital. Claire’s depression was so severe she neglected her other children, and the State finally removed them from her home.

Losing her children was the final blow—she had to get off the drugs. Claire’s friend made some calls and learned about our Family Works residential treatment program for women and their children.

Family Works proved to be the right decision. Claire stayed with us for six months while she received treatment for her alcohol and drug abuse, therapy for her depression, and parenting classes to be a better mom for her children. Because of the treatment, her baby was born drug-free.

But before the State would return her older children to her care, she needed a safe home that was free of drugs and abuse. She decided to divorce her husband. The Family Works staff consulted with our Heartland Housing Solutions staff, who arranged for Claire to move to a small home. Through that program, Claire received financial assistance to pay the rent; case management to keep her situation stable; therapy to cope with her depression; and life skills development for employment, socialization and healthy leisure activities.

Today, Claire has remained sober for more than a year. She is working full-time, paying her bills in full and on time each month, and earning a nursing assistant certification. Therapy has taught her how to manage her depression and grief and how to maintain her recovery. She is an involved parent and her children are thriving.

Most important, Claire is back on the path to a productive life.