I remember looking through the raindrops on the public bus windows. I was young, I was scared, and deeply sad. I was on my way to have my parental rights terminated. I desperately tried with everything I had at the time to not let that happen. I was devastated that we were there and had started to convince myself my children deserve a life I couldn't give them; the least I could do was negotiate that they stay together. And that is what I did. I saw them two more times after that. The physical dependence of the substances had me so close I could not keep away despite my try. The shame of not being able to be sober for my children ate me up, it seemed to glare at me through the eyes of every person I encountered.
Recovery introduced me to parts of myself I didn't know existed. Parts of myself that I have been delighted to know. The promises of recovery are real, hard-won, and only achieved with the love from others. It seems so cliche to say that love is where the magic is. But it is. Its in the friends we come to make, the activities we love to do, its in the drive for closeness and wholeness, its in the each-other care that we get to engage in.
Women need a space where the shame can be near but not consuming. Where stories can be told about how shame has been unfair and held even the most upright hostage. Women need to see smart, capable, witty, angry, funny women living their life and resisting the guilt, shame, and pressure to be responsible for the shambles this world asks them to hold. There are few spaces like that.
We are trying to raise $10k- we need you to help us make that goal!
On May 27th, join New Directions for Women and 22 other nonprofits across Orange County as we unite to raise $350,000 in support of mental wellness and healthy relationships!
Together we are creating healthier, safer communities in Orange County.
Help New Directions for Women raise $10,000 for our exceptional gender-specific addiction treatment services that are family-centered, and promote healthy parenting, prevent domestic violence, and assist in family reunification.