Born Addicted But Now Sober

Ashley was born a drug addict because her mother had been a drug user and prostitute while pregnant. Her mother then groomed Ashley for life on the streets.  At 30, Ashley has spent almost 15 years, or half her life, on the streets, after moving through 14 different foster homes.  She has been shot and survived heroin addiction.

Ashley learned about the Off the Streets^SM program while at a Coffee in the Park event.  She showed up with a friend, high on heroin, and recited an impromptu poem for the group.  The moment stood out for her, and she was soon part of the program.  The facilitators, with their own battles with recovery, showed her that it didn’t seem farfetched that she could live a healthy life. 

Today, Ashley has been sober for a year; she has had her own apartment for a month, and she has been employed now for three months.  She says that she used to be so immersed in shame and guilt that she didn’t believe she deserved a better life.  She doesn’t believe this anymore.  She says, “I can close my eyes and envision myself in five years.  I could never see myself like that before.” 

Thank you all so much for helping Ashley!  Now she believes that she has a full life ahead of her.