Lana’s New Home
Years ago, Lana lived in the suburbs and owned her own condo for 14 years. She was quiet. If you passed her on the street, you would guess she was like anyone else.
Lana’s unassuming exterior contrasted remarkably with what was going on in her life. Pain pill use had become an addiction. She “shopped” doctors, looking for ones who would prescribe her drugs, and when that didn’t work, she tried to get her fix from emergency rooms. Eventually she turned to prostitution to support her habit. In October 2010, Lana found that she had her lost her condo and any semblance of a normal life because of her addiction. The condo was a source of pride for Lana; losing it and having no place to live proved to be a turning point. She sought treatment for her addiction.
Today, at 47, Lana may not have a condo, but she has a new life. She has a room to call her own, the support of the other woman in the Off the StreetsSM program, and 14 months sobriety to celebrate. Lana explains why she likes her new home so much: “I feel safe here . . . I love all the girls here. You always have someone to talk to.”
Thank you for giving Lana the sense of safety and community she needed to turn her life around.