The Faces of TCC: Pamela
An interview with Pamela, Alumni of The Counseling Center
I never thought I would get my GED and I did it. I got my GED with transitional, saved the money, got me a car. Now I have moved up to sober living. I love where I live now.
–Pamela
Q. How did you come in contact with The Counseling Center?
I started in Columbus. That's where I was born and raised. I went to another agency in northern Ohio. I did my 21 days there. And after that, they were trying to throw me out in the woods, but I begged them not to do it because I would have been out there dead somewhere. So they had me be real "still." They found me a bed somewhere. I was like, "Hey, I'm ready. I'm ready to do this thing. I'm tired of being out there. I'm getting ready to die. I need help." I came here last year, March the 10th, 2019. When I got to my house, I was the mother. I cooked every day and I met the Director of Food Service. One day I had to go to the dentist and I didn't have a ride and he was willing to take me all the way out to past Minford to the doctor. On the drive, I told him that I like to cook and that I've been cooking in our house. I told him that I would like to have a job here. I'm a good cook and I know how to throw down. After I completed 90 days, I went to him and I got hired the next day. I've been cooking since then.
Q. What happened to make you come here?
My best friend got killed in the streets and that could have been me. So when that happened, I was like, 'I'm done. This is it. I can't do it anymore.' So here I am. After I completed, I got a job but they didn't have a bed at transitional so I ended up going to the shelter. It was rough. That was a rough ride. I remember those days. I was there for three weeks, but that saved me. I still had my job and I hung at the HAWC all day after work. When it was time for me to take a shower and go to bed I went there and did just that every day for three weeks. After three weeks was up, Andy came with a key and that made my day, I cried, I had chills. I was so happy because God kept me where he wanted me to be. I stayed in transitional for a year and saved my money. First I got my GED and then I got my first car. I had a plan. I got my GED and I was so happy! I hadn’t been in school since 1979 - I'll be 58 Saturday So I never thought I would get my GED but I did it. I got my GED with transitional, saved money, and got me a car. Now I have moved up to sober living. I love where I live now it's a beautiful home. I just love it. I love Portsmouth. I'm glad that I became a Portsmouth fan here. I'm grateful to be here. I love my staff. I love my clients. When I see the newcomers I give what was given to me. They all love my cooking.
Q. What do you do for your own recovery outside of treatment?
I became involved in my community, got baptized at Mount Zion church, and became an usher. I got with this lady, she's my sponsor. She's been clean for 17 years and she does a lot in the community. Since she is my sponsor, I have to follow in her steps and I do a lot. I mean, I love what I do. I'm out and about. I am just so grateful to really be here. My sponsor checks on me on a daily basis. If somebody needs a sponsor I will give a peer her name and number, it's their job to call her. So I have a job to do on a daily basis.
Q. Any words of wisdom to someone who is going through this?
To be still. Don't move. Let God do his will. When we do our will it never works. So it's about peace. Be still, be patient and stay humble. Stay focused and easy does it. I hear those words all the time.
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