Mom Given “Best Chance at Living a Good Life” at Parisi House

Heather, Parisi House graduate, had a good life growing up. She has a supportive and loving family who gave her a structured childhood and wanted the best for her. When she started struggling academically in her high-achieving high school and feeling out of place with her peers, she started avoiding attending classes. Heather says that led her to fall in with the wrong crowd. She began using drugs socially but soon found that it helped her escape her anxiety about not going to school or meeting her family’s expectations.

In 2005, she gave birth to her son but still found herself struggling with her addiction. She says, “I knew I wanted to be a mom but did not know how.” A social worker stepped in and offered Heather a chance to attend outpatient treatment to help her get sober. However, she still struggled to break the addiction’s hold on her life without more support. Heather finally found the strength to overcome her addiction when she came to Parisi House.

Heather says the day she came to Parisi House was “the scariest thing but also the best thing.” Heather credits her success to the stable, structured support at Parisi House. The special bond she developed with her baby in our program solidified her commitment to sobriety. Being able to bring her child helped keep her motivated throughout her journey. Heather says she “was given such a perfect gift,” and Parisi House was “the best chance at living a good life” for her and her son.

After Heather graduated from Parisi House, she went back to tackle her academic aspirations. Because of her early academic struggles, it was important for her to go back to school to prove to herself that she could accomplish her goals. Heather earned her bachelor’s degree in social work, later spending time as a senior caregiver. Today, she is applying to become a para education specialist and volunteers in the library at Parisi House where she gets to encourage other moms and engage them in reading to their children. She also has a unique and priceless relationship with her now teenage son. Supporting him through his academic journey helped her realize that working in education would be something she would enjoy and be good at. Heather says they have a special friendship and cheer each other on in life. She will always be grateful for the bond they have now, and she continues every day to commit to living her life sober.

Mom Given “Best Chance at Living a Good Life” at Parisi House

Heather, Parisi House graduate, had a good life growing up. She has a supportive and loving family who gave her a structured childhood and wanted the best for her. When she started struggling academically in her high-achieving high school and feeling out of place with her peers, she started avoiding attending classes. Heather says that led her to fall in with the wrong crowd. She began using drugs socially but soon found that it helped her escape her anxiety about not going to school or meeting her family’s expectations.

In 2005, she gave birth to her son but still found herself struggling with her addiction. She says, “I knew I wanted to be a mom but did not know how.” A social worker stepped in and offered Heather a chance to attend outpatient treatment to help her get sober. However, she still struggled to break the addiction’s hold on her life without more support. Heather finally found the strength to overcome her addiction when she came to Parisi House.

Heather says the day she came to Parisi House was “the scariest thing but also the best thing.” Heather credits her success to the stable, structured support at Parisi House. The special bond she developed with her baby in our program solidified her commitment to sobriety. Being able to bring her child helped keep her motivated throughout her journey. Heather says she “was given such a perfect gift,” and Parisi House was “the best chance at living a good life” for her and her son.

After Heather graduated from Parisi House, she went back to tackle her academic aspirations. Because of her early academic struggles, it was important for her to go back to school to prove to herself that she could accomplish her goals. Heather earned her bachelor’s degree in social work, later spending time as a senior caregiver. Today, she is applying to become a para education specialist and volunteers in the library at Parisi House where she gets to encourage other moms and engage them in reading to their children. She also has a unique and priceless relationship with her now teenage son. Supporting him through his academic journey helped her realize that working in education would be something she would enjoy and be good at. Heather says they have a special friendship and cheer each other on in life. She will always be grateful for the bond they have now, and she continues every day to commit to living her life sober.