POWER Mentor Stephanie learned Becky* wasn’t attending outpatient therapy as part of her addiction treatment because of transportation issues. Becky said she didn’t understand the bus system and didn’t feel comfortable riding the bus alone for the first time.

As a woman in long-term recovery herself, Stephanie understands the importance of building a solid foundation in the early stages of recovery. She knew Becky’s chances of success would be much better if she could continue her treatment with a therapist trained to deal with trauma and substance use disorders.

Stephanie was committed to helping Becky find a workable solution.

She helped Becky research the bus lines she would need to take to get to therapy. She secured two bus tickets for the initial trip and ensured Becky would have ongoing access to Port Authority passes.

Then, together, Becky and Stephanie boarded a bus bound for POWER New Day. After a successful one-hour trip to therapy, the pair finished the day with another hour-long bus ride home.

According to Stephanie’s supervisor, “This is a perfect example of how POWER Mentors help women in recovery overcome barriers to treatment by coordinating services, transferring skills, and instilling confidence!”

It was exactly what Becky needed to overcome another obstacle to recovery.

Becky says she is much more comfortable using the bus now. As a result, she is attending outpatient therapy at POWER New Day to strengthen her recovery from addiction. Research shows that the longer Becky is able to receive treatment, the better her chances for long-term recovery.

Stephanie wasn’t able to shorten the travel time required for Becky to get to treatment. But she did teach her client an important lesson about recovery and life: no matter how long the journey, it’s easier to take with a partner and a plan.

*Name changed to protect client’s privacy.

POWER’s mission is to help women reclaim their lives from addiction and related emotional health issues and improve the well-being of future generations. For POWER New Day Program Manager Rachael Perlick, every word of that is personal.  

After earning her Master’s Degree in Counseling at Slippery Rock University, Rachael spent six years working as a therapist at Gateway Rehab. She discovered her passion for helping people who have substance use disorders. In 2017, intrigued by “the POWER program, working with women, and the supportive trauma environment,” Rachael came to POWER as the clinical supervisor of its outpatient program. She knew, “this is what I am supposed to be doing and where I am supposed to be doing this work.” 

Two years later when she discovered she was expecting her second child, Rachael decided to make another change. 

She moved into a part-time position to have more time for her own family. As a therapist for Perinatal Hope, POWER’s partnership with Allegheny Health Network to provide addiction treatment to pregnant and post-partum women, she worked with women who held their own children’s futures in their hands. 

Rachael knows the difference one woman’s recovery can make on future generations. She’s been in recovery for 16 years. 

“My children have not seen me in active addiction, and that is so impactful in their development.” 

Today, Rachael is the program manager for POWER New Day. She relies on courage and a sense of humor to serve her clients and her colleagues. She also knows that self-care is essential.

“At work, I do the best I can, but when I close that office door, I’m going home to take care of myself and my family.” Her husband Jeff, daughter Harper (5) and son Hudson (3) remind her there is always joy to be found. 

Rachael is dedicated to the women who come to POWER in the midst of a struggle that was once so real for her. She knows there is confidence and strength to be found in recovery, and she is committed to making life better for future generations. Her heart is open, her personality is real, and her commitment is admirable.

This post was based on a profile written by Karen Harris Brooks. Read the full article here.

By Karen Harris Brooks

Robin Horston Spencer has faced the obstacles, overcome the improbable, and conquered the impossible. Today, she is a force to be reckoned with, a strong Black woman in her own right, and a friend to all.

Raised on a foundation of love and respectability, Robin’s home life was also based on faith and spiritual principals. Those beliefs, however, did not stop her from falling into the throes of cocaine addiction and living a detached lifestyle from her large, loving family. Her destructive behavior led to a path of “entrepreneurship” within the drug world, which she believed was her destiny.

Robin was returning to Pennsylvania from a drug run when she was arrested on the highways of New Jersey. While spending four nights and five days in a jail cell awaiting trial, she faced the reality of her future. The court ordered outpatient treatment, and Robin willingly complied. Although unenthused about the 12-Step program, the desire to live a life of sobriety gave her the courage to seek a sponsor.

After two years in recovery, Robin returned to the strong foundation of family. “I came from a family that always wanted me to do better,” she says. “Addiction caused me to change into someone they did not recognize.”

From the pit of addiction to the path of achievement.

Having abandoned her education earlier, Robin returned to school at Lincoln University. “My dad was ecstatic about me continuing my education,” she states with pride. Ranked among the top 10 students in her graduating class and recipient of several awards, the enthusiastic scholar began to arm herself with the tools she needed to help others. Without pause, Robin went on to obtain three Masters degrees in Human Services, Professional Leadership, and Business Administration.

Today, Robin is the Executive Director of Message Carriers, a recovery community organization that provides advocacy and recovery related services to individuals and family members impacted by the disease of addiction and/or mental health disorders.

“Helping people helped me to help myself and gave me the strength,” she states with sincerity. Robin is an integral part of the recovery community in Pittsburgh and also holds a special place in the hearts of many women of POWER.

“POWER came into my life through women I knew. I fell in love with the work POWER does, the way they do it, and the focus of the organization.”

Robin describes herself as a change agent. “As long as I am breathing, I am going to help those who can’t help themselves. Without judgment, they have someone they can confide. Message Carriers is a voice for the voiceless. Someone has to do it and I accept the challenge.”

After 10 years of homelessness and active addiction, Aleshia was once again pregnant and facing the prospect of having another child taken from her. “I knew that I would not be able to raise my baby if I couldn’t stop using,” says Aleshia.

Aleshia began going to meetings and surrounded herself with people who were in recovery. She tried short-term rehabs, but was never able to piece 30 days of recovery together. A few weeks would go by, and she would use again.

Then, when she was 7 months pregnant, a night of cocaine use triggered her labor.

All I could do was cry, knowing what was coming for my baby and me.

Aleshia’s youngest son was born 8 weeks early, weighing just 4 pounds. He spent 10 days in the NICU connected to tubes and machines. When it was time for him to go home, he went home with his father.

And Aleshia went home to POWER.

A POWER Mentor encouraged Aleshia to enter treatment at POWER House. During those six months, her life changed. After so many years of being homeless, she had a key to her own room. More importantly, POWER gave her a safe space to rebuild relationships with her children. Aleshia’s kids came to visit her at POWER House, and the therapists helped them work through the damage addiction had done to their family.

When you support recovery, you empower mothers like me to understand our histories, to love ourselves, and to become the parents we always wanted to be.

After two years in recovery, Aleshia got her kids back. Today, they have families of their own, and she is a proud grandmother of 8. In Oct 2020, Aleshia celebrated 13 years of recovery.

The greatest gift POWER has given me is the opportunity to raise my youngest son. He’s 13 now, in eighth grade, and growing taller by the day. I love watching him grow up.

You can help another woman like Aleshia transform her life. Make a gift today to provide the support she needs to rebuild her family.