Melissa's Story

Melissa grew up in Oakland CA, where she started living on the streets at 6 years old.  At 10 years old she started using drugs and drinking.  She used everything and anything to be part of a group, to feel someone cared about her.  She slept in abandoned vehicles or occasionally at a friend’s house.  Her lifestyle led her to her first pregnancy by the age of 16, and her seventh child at age 32.  Her drinking caused her to “act differently whenever I drank – I was mean and only cared about myself.”  It led her to jail or prison several times as well.  Each time she came out she would be sober for a period of time, some for days, some for weeks, a couple for months.  Once she even stayed sober for 2 years, but her poor choices always led her back to her drinking.

You may be wondering what the difference was this time.  “Thirty days, sixty days, just was never long enough.  This last time when I went on my journey (prison) I was there a long time.  A long time.  All you have to do in there is think.  After I got out of prison I lived at Passages for a year.  When they released me I walked directly to the Women’s Shelter.  I was scared at first because I had never been in that kind of place before, but everyone – the staff – was so nice to me.  I got my job back at the Rimrock Inn and thanks to Lana and the Mission I have my own place now.  It’s only a studio but it’s mine.  I became determined.  Determined not to drink.  Not to let any place, person or thing stand in the way of my determination.  I broke up with my boyfriend, because he still drinks, and I won’t put myself in those situations any more.  I’m sure my friends think I’m crazy because I won’t go out with them, or go where I would be exposed to drinking.  I’m sure they all think I’m crazy, because all I do is go to work, my AA meetings and home.  I’m determined.  That’s the difference this time.”  

Melissa has been completely sober for 16 months and is extremely grateful for what the Mission has done for her, her AA friends and new sponsor.