My Nonprofit Reviews

Chrissy922
Review for Avenues 12 Women's Recovery Houses, Daytona Beach, FL, USA
When I was young, all I wanted to do was become a nurse and help others. In my teen years I was introduced to alcohol and found that I was easily accepted into the popular group. I thought it was no big deal. As a few years went by, my experimentation became a habit. I moved on to stronger more powerful highs. The "in crowd" was now gone and I had surpassed their tolerance levels. As the years went by my addiction grew stronger and I was a prisoner of my own addiction. At the age of 24, I was sleeping on whoever's bed I could find, sometimes the street. I wanted to end everything. I was so such a broken soul and thought there was no way out. I met a woman who told me to call a place called Avenues 12. I spoke to Kay Hayes, she was understanding and talked to me for at least an hour. She told me her story and it was much like mine. She asked what I was willing to do to save my life and start a new one. She helped me find a bed in a detox and I reluctantly went. Kay said she would hold a bed for me in a safe and loving place after I completed detox. I was scared and had no idea what would happen to me. After detox, she kept her promise. I had no money and the only thing I owned was a pair of shoes and the clothes on my back.
As soon a I got there everyone greeted me and said welcome home! From that day forth I started to believe that there were good people who really cared about me. They will do whatever it takes to help you move forward, one day at a time, as long as I do the work. The staff always took the time to listen and guide me. They got me clothes, fed me, started to show me that I was somebody again. My life got better everyday. I got a job, began making close friends and had a new family. I can never say enough about these women and what they teach. I am back in school for nursing 2 years later. I no longer live there, but I will always leave my heart with them. As an alumni, I go back to help the new women coming in. You are never alone! Forever grateful !