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071 Annual Report 2019 CINDY

People witlt alcohol or drug dependence
p·roblems can and do ·recover. Child & Famil·y
Center is committed to wo·rking witlt youtlt and adults
who struggle with substance use as well as domestic
-violence.

Cindy vvas 27 years old when her life hit bottom. For
years she had used heroin, often partying with her
two brothers. Her boyfriend was physically and
mentally abusive and kept her isolated from her
friends and family. They ·were homeless, bouncing
from one motel to another. The final stra·w ,,vas ,,vhen
her boyfriend was arrested for burglary and
Department of Children and Family Services took
their four-month old daughter away for her safety.

Cindy was court ordered to get help. She enrolled in
Child & Family Center's Substance Use Program. In
the beginning, she was nervous and suffered from
social anxiety. The years of trauma and self-
medicating made her feel isolated and she refused to
share her feelings.

After a few months, Cindy began to feel more
comfortable. She attended groups three times per
week and finally started sharing. Over time she felt
more secure, and emerged as a leader, inspiring
hope in the other group members. In addition to the
substance use groups, Cindy attended the Agency's
domestic violence groups and parenting classes.

Cindy completed the six month program and
continues to attend the weekly support group and
receives individual counseling. She mended her
estranged relationships with her parents, and is
living with her mother. She is working at Starbucks
and has regained custody of her daughter. They are
living together in an apartment. She is so grateful
for all the help she received.