Rita is 47 years old, and battled with addiction for most of her life. Ten years ago, after many bouts with jails and institutions, she decided to stop and managed to stay away from drugs and alcohol for five years. But she just wasn’t ready to change her thinking, attitudes and behaviors and she eventually relapsed.
Almost five years ago she was in jail, facing twenty years in prison. While in jail, her mother passed away and her son was being raised by his godmother. “I prayed on my knees and I asked God to teach me to stand on my own two feet. I haven’t looked back since.” After nine months, Rita was released on the drug court program, homeless and full of fear.
“The only place that would take me was Freedom House. They held me accountable to my manipulative ways and taught me how to be a mother, a woman and a productive member of society. I learned how to budget money and develop discipline in my daily life.”
Rita graduated from Freedom House in July, 2011. “I have my own place with my son where I pay my own bills. I got my driver’s license back and bought a car.” She is a student at Thomas Edison State College and is close to completing a BA in Psychology. She also has a full time job at a marketing company.
“The relationship I have with myself and my son today is possible because of Freedom House. I will be forever grateful to Freedom House for giving me a chance when the whole world thought I was hopeless.”
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