‘Parisi House Completely Saved My Life’

Jennifer is looking forward to her future. She recently moved into family housing at Cal State Monterey Bay, where she is studying to be a social worker. She’s come a long way since arriving at Parisi House three years ago. Back then she had just been reunited with her 1-year-old daughter Grace and was desperately trying to stay sober after years of abusing meth.

“The day I got there I just got my daughter back,” Jennifer remembers. “It was amazing to have her back; it was surreal. Parisi House completely saved my life. I had women knowing I could change and do the right thing. Everything I needed they were there to support. They taught me how to be the best mother I can be.”

She says she had always been a “party girl,” smoking marijuana and drinking since she was a teenager. But soon after her first daughter was born 12 years ago, Jennifer developed post-partum depression and was prescribed medication to treat it. “I would over medicate, and I would drink,” she says. “It had a lot to do with mental health. Eventually I left my husband, my family, and moved in with my parents. Then I picked up that miserable drug I wish I never picked up.”

Jennifer was living in an RV with her abusive ex-boyfriend when Grace was born, and nine months later, the baby was removed from her care by Child Protective Services. She says the caring counselors and relationships she built at Parisi House helped her turn her life around.

“I developed connections with other women going through the same thing,” Jennifer says. “The childcare workers, I genuinely think they cared – they loved my daughter. I felt like my counselor really cared about me. She helped me sign up for college.”

For the last three years, Jennifer has been raising her daughters and attending Gavilan College. She graduated in May with an associate’s degree in behavioral health sciences.

“When I was with Grace’s dad, he would belittle me as a person and tell me I’m weak-minded,” she remembers. “I started college in August 2017 and I’ve maintained a 3.7 grade point average. I apply for every scholarship I can, and I’ve won four.”

She adds, “School has empowered me more than anything – and of course being a mother. The education will help me provide them the best life I can. My life has never been better.”

Jennifer says she is grateful for the help she received at Parisi House: “This program is mending broken families and healing hearts. With the support from staff and my counselor, I was able to build the bond back with my daughter. I was given a second chance at life and I was shown a new way to live. I am forever grateful.”

Parisi House completely saved my life

Jennifer is looking forward to her future. She recently moved into family housing at Cal State Monterey Bay, where she is studying to be a social worker. She’s come a long way since arriving at Parisi House three years ago. Back then she had just been reunited with her 1-year-old daughter Grace and was desperately trying to stay sober after years of abusing meth.

“The day I got there I just got my daughter back,” Jennifer remembers. “It was amazing to have her back; it was surreal. Parisi House completely saved my life. I had women knowing I could change and do the right thing. Everything I needed they were there to support. They taught me how to be the best mother I can be.”

She says she had always been a “party girl,” smoking marijuana and drinking since she was a teenager. But soon after her first daughter was born 12 years ago, Jennifer developed post-partum depression and was prescribed medication to treat it. “I would over medicate, and I would drink,” she says. “It had a lot to do with mental health. Eventually I left my husband, my family, and moved in with my parents. Then I picked up that miserable drug I wish I never picked up.”

Jennifer was living in an RV with her abusive ex-boyfriend when Grace was born, and nine months later, the baby was removed from her care by Child Protective Services. She says the caring counselors and relationships she built at Parisi House helped her turn her life around.

“I developed connections with other women going through the same thing,” Jennifer says. “The childcare workers, I genuinely think they cared – they loved my daughter. I felt like my counselor really cared about me. She helped me sign up for college.”

For the last three years, Jennifer has been raising her daughters and attending Gavilan College. She graduated in May with an associate’s degree in behavioral health sciences.

“When I was with Grace’s dad, he would belittle me as a person and tell me I’m weak-minded,” she remembers. “I started college in August 2017 and I’ve maintained a 3.7 grade point average. I apply for every scholarship I can, and I’ve won four.”

She adds, “School has empowered me more than anything – and of course being a mother. The education will help me provide them the best life I can. My life has never been better.”

Jennifer says she is grateful for the help she received at Parisi House: “This program is mending broken families and healing hearts. With the support from staff and my counselor, I was able to build the bond back with my daughter. I was given a second chance at life and I was shown a new way to live. I am forever grateful.”