For Greta Harper, years of drug and alcohol use spiraled out of control about six years ago when she found herself behind bars.
Harper, now 52, said she cycled through periods of homelessness, substance abuse and incarceration.
Then in late 2007, "tired of being tired," she was directed to the doors of New Directions.
She recalled seeing holiday decorations and feeling that she didn't deserve such comforts. But she was wrong.
"I was welcomed here. It was wonderful; it was like home," Harper said.
She lived 11 months at the Stockton treatment center, shook off the dependencies and put her life back together.
"Today I am somebody," Harper said this week.
"I've got my kids back.
"I am a grandmother today. I am a sister today. I am an aunt today.
"I am loved today."
She has since taken culinary arts classes at San Joaquin Delta College and found seasonal work this past spring and summer cooking at the Stockton Ports ballpark. But she has greater aspirations.
Harper hopes to apply to begin studies next year at University of the Pacific that would lead to a career as a substance abuse counselor.
Even though she completed the New Directions treatment program, she returns to the complex every day to join in group session and share what she has learned with other female addicts.
"I come back every day to give back to the girls what New Directions gave to me," she said.
And Harper says it helps her, too.
"I know if I go out and use again, I'm going to die," she said.
"I know if I come here every day, this is my safe home. I don't have to pick up and use if I'm here."
Contact reporter Reed Fujii at (209) 546-8253 or [email protected]. Visit his blog at recordnet.com/blogs.
Meadows Depot
Meadows Depot, a halfway home in Acampo, offers drug-addicted women and their children safe, drug-free shelter and recovery assistance.
» Needs: Founder Paula Meadows said cash donations are preferred, but items such as bedding, towels, diapers, paper goods and personal hygiene items also are needed. In addition, food donations are welcome. For more specific gifts, such as furnishings or toys, please call first to best match the need.
» Information: 23760 N. Highway 99, Acampo, CA 95220; (209) 367-1948.
New Directions
A residential substance-abuse treatment and education center, New Directions helps clients deal with their addiction and associated lifestyle, then teaches the skills they need - parenting, dealing with domestic violence, basic education, finding and keeping a job - to move beyond.
» Needs: While money is preferred, the center is in constant need of all sorts of household supplies, from toothpaste to bed sheets. Bicycles, which clients use for basic transportation to get to and from job interviews and work, as well as men's and women's winter coats and seasonal food - such as frozen turkeys and hams - are especially welcomed.
» Information: P.O. Box 5070, Stockton CA 95205; (209) 870-6500; [email protected].
Sunhouse
Lodi-based Sunhouse is a private nonprofit organization serving San Joaquin County residents dealing with "unhealthy behaviors," including addiction, substance abuse and domestic violence. Its programs include crisis intervention, a 24-hour telephone line, education, counseling, job re-entry services and up to six months of transitional housing.
» Needs: Monetary donations are always welcome. But with 15 clients in transitional housing, other needs include blankets and, for clients with children, toys. Before giving toys, however, Sunhouse officials ask donors to call first to ensure the gifts are age-appropriate.
» Information: P.O. Box 348, Lodi, CA 95241-0348; (209) 365-0152; [email protected]; www.sunhousewarriors.org/.
Tracy DARE
Tracy's Drug Abuse Resistance Education program, which hopes to foster drug-abuse prevention among children of all ages, is more than a "just say no program," said DARE instructor and Tracy City Councilman Steve Abercrombie. The program encourages students to get involved in community service, from writing postcards and letters to military service personnel overseas to visiting seniors in retirement homes. "The purpose of that is if we start getting the kids to take pride in their community and positive things, that takes away some of the allure of not so positive things for them."
» Information: 37 W. 10 St., Tracy, CA 95378.