Sharon’s Story: Reunited with her daughter at Avivo and nearing two years of recovery

Sharon has seen positive change recently unlike anything she could have imagined. Now approaching two years of sobriety, she’s living in her own apartment and has also strengthened the bond she has with her teenage daughter.

“I’m thankful for the spot I’m in. I know the amount of work it took to get here, and I know that I still have work to do.”

Sharon often reflects on when she first entered a treatment facility. “I couldn’t put a comb through my hair [back then]. I wasn’t worried about hygiene,” she shares. “I was only worried about how I’m going to hustle $10 for my next bottle.”

At that point, Sharon entered an inpatient treatment facility. That’s where a case manager first told her about Avivo, and that Avivo would help her take the next step toward recovery and reunite with her daughter. They would also have housing.

“I remember it clearly… I went to Avivo the weekend after Halloween. November 2, 2021,” shares Sharon. “Then I went and picked up my daughter. We went to a buffet and then we went back to our [new] apartment. That, to me, was greater than Christmas.”

“I remember it clearly… I went to Avivo the weekend after Halloween. November 2, 2021 … Then I went and picked up my daughter. We went to a buffet and then we went back to our [new] apartment. That, to me, was greater than Christmas.”

As she attended treatment programming at Avivo, she started to grow and build, and to strengthen her relationship with her daughter.

“It amazes me that the relationship between me and my daughter grew as well. She’s 15 now. Our line of communication is important, and I didn’t hide anything from her.”

Sharon believes that having housing while at Avivo was key to her sobriety and growth as a mom.

“I know for a fact that if I didn’t have housing when I went to Avivo I would’ve been good for maybe three months, and then my frustration level and hopelessness would have grown,” shares Sharon. “Housing at Avivo has saved so many more people that would have been in the street or overdosed. Having somewhere to lay your head at, to be safe… that sense of security through your journey is crucial.”

“I know for a fact that if I didn’t have housing when I went to Avivo I would’ve been good for maybe three months, and then my frustration level and hopelessness would have grown…”

Toward the end of Sharon’s stay at Avivo, she started wondering what was next, especially related to housing. That’s when Avivo staff informed her they’d found an apartment for her and her daughter.

“It was like fate. I was sitting in that apartment worrying every day.”

When Sharon moved in, she saw not just an apartment, but a move-in kit provided by donors.

“I had everything I needed. Air mattresses, cleaning supplies, a laundry basket, a vacuum, a Swiffer, blankets. It was just awesome.”

This month, Sharon is set to renew her lease for a second year. She’s found employment, working shifts at an emergency shelter for homeless youth, and is happy to have found a way to give back. And she made sure to add a few words for others seeking recovery, “It’s not going to be really easy, but the reward at the end is going to be well worth it.”