Graduate Stories
Mabel
Mabel is a 36 year old mom that came to Esplanade House with her 8 month old son, Jason. She had completed a treatment program in Oroville, and could not find a place to live with her monthly welfare check of $331.00. She was also in debt to the court system and credit bureaus. Raised in a family with multi- generational alcohol and drug use, Mabel was a 4th generation alcoholic by the time she was a young adult. She also had serious mental health issues that were never addressed, and had about an 8th grade education.
Over the course of 18 months, Mabel was able to address the series of issues she had to overcome in order to become a healthy, functioning parent. Because she was able to stay with us, she managed to save over $2,000.00, making it possible to pay off her debts with help from the community credit counseling center . She attended GED classes on site and worked very hard in parenting classes, both here and at Butte College.
Baby Jason blossomed in our childcare center. He is a bright, well cared for child.
Due to her mental health issues, Mabel was accepted for Social Security, which brought her income up to $900.00 per month. After graduating from our program she was able to rent a small duplex for herself and Jason. Mabel is now attending Butte College and taking math classes. She is excited about being a student at this point in her life.
Mark and Janet
Mark and Janet entered the Esplanade House with two daughters, Susan age 6, and Ann age 4. Their story is a familiar one. Mark had been training as an Emergency Medical Tech when he got into trouble with drugs and was sent to prison. Janet went into a treatment program for drug use, and their children were put into the Foster Care system. When Mark was released, he and Janet were able to get their children back if they entered the Esplanade House program. They have both worked very hard at turning their lives around and took advantage of everything we have to offer. Mark completed his GED, and Janet, who “didn’t think she wasn’t smart enough” to go to College, is enrolled in the Butte college Office Assistance program and has a 4.0 grade point average. Mark has secured a job with a local manufacturing plant, and their children are thriving in school.
Mark and Janet have graduated into our Phase II apartment complex, where they can work on paying bills off and Janet can finish her Butte College courses.
Fawn
I had been using drugs and alcohol for 18 years by the time I sought help. My life was a shambles; I was five months pregnant, my son and two daughters had been placed in the foster care system, and my family would no longer help me. While in Drug Court , my counselor Cindy suggested I apply at Esplanade House. She told me she had graduated 5 years ago, and that the program changed her life. She said if I was strong, it could change mine, too. I applied and was accepted on August 9, 2001 .
The Esplanade House began to show me a better way to live. They taught me parenting skills, relapse prevention, living skills, and how to access other resources in the community. In October of 2001, I gave birth to my son Dakota clean and sober. My other children, son Payne and daughters Alea and Kaelie, were returned to me from the foster care system.
Through many tears, much sorrow as well as joy and happiness, I finally graduated and moved my family into our own home.
I am now preparing to enter my 3rd semester at Butte College. I am employed 30 hours a week at Tri-Counties Treatment Program. I’ve also graduated from Touchstone, and I recently won a scholarship from Soroptomist International. I am the president of The Esplanade House Alumni Association and volunteer several hours a week in the program.
The Esplanade House has been an integral part of my life. My primary focus is to change the cycle of drug/alcohol addiction, violence and other destructive behaviors not only within my immediate family but wherever I can make a difference. My life has changed immensely and I am now on the road to a better future. I couldn’t have done it without support from donors in the community. If you are reading this, please know that donating to this program is like throwing a life preserver to someone who won't drown if they are a strong swimmer. It really is "saving" a life, and more than that, the lives of the children involved.
Alan
Hi, my name is Alan, I am a graduate of the Esplanade House! I was on the waiting list for a year to get in. When I got my panel meeting, I told staff my goal was to get my sons back. I not only got my sons back, but I cleared up all of my negative credit history and when I left I rented my own apt. with no co-signer. I had tried to accomplish all of this on my own for 3 years with no luck. It was only with the help of the staff and living at the Esplanade House that I was able to accomplish these goals. I now have a wonderful job and the life that God intended me and my family to have thanks to the help of the Esplanade House.