Email: Alicia Wilson

June 25, 2007

Dear Friends,

As I write this newsletter, it has been one month and one week since I first met James. He is a very kind, well-spoken, and headstrong man that came into Central Outreach Center one day in May seeking help with his drug addiction. I was the one that pulled his intake sheet and was admittedly a little annoyed when I saw that it was for drug detox/rehab. Over the course of my year, placing people in rehab facilities has been one of the most frustrating aspects of my job. I often begin the process with someone who is ready and eager to make a significant change in their life, but after calling and being told to call back an hour later a number of times, or being told about all of the medical tests he or she would have to have done, or after being told that there are simply no beds available in the city and they could have an appointment in two weeks, I many times end up with someone who is at least slightly frustrated if not outright dejected. It has been very hard for me to see people who are ready to work through their addiction and then not be able to find adequate help for them. James, however, was patient and determined throughout the entire process.

Thankfully, I was able to place James in a detoxification program that would allow him to easily transition into a residential rehab program that I knew to have an excellent reputation. After that day I did not see James at all for several weeks, something that is not uncommon for our guests. Then, last week he returned one morning and seemed very upset and asked if he could talk to me when I got a chance. As we talked, James shared that he had been clean for a month and that he had moved into the phase of the program where he was able to get a job and start working. The even better news (or so I thought) was that the job he had gotten would be paying $17 an hour! I was very excited since many of our guests are only able to get jobs that pay at most little more than minimum wage. Then James shared that because of restrictions from federal funding he would be forced to leave the rehab facility he was in because he would be making too much money. After several calls and a meeting with the director of the rehab program, we were able to find a different recovery program where he could continue to work through his addiction and keep the job that could help him better his situation when he gets out of rehab.

I am happy to report that I saw James again yesterday and he is very happy in his new program, has completed orientation, and will begin work today. While I am thrilled that for James the situation appears to have worked out, his story also highlighted for me just how many barriers must be crossed before someone can make a significant change in their situation.

Outside of work, my housemates and I have started volunteering at the Open Door community, serving breakfast twice a month. We spent one community day caving in northern Alabama with the chair of the local DOOR board. Also, we prepared and served a meal for women and children at the shelter where one of the other YAVs works. I also had my first experience leading the Bible study during worship at the church that I am attending in Atlanta.

I am grateful for your ongoing support.

Alicia