Meet Andrea!

Meet Andrea!

Hi there my name is Andrea,

My name is Andrea and this is my story. In 2021 my life was a wreck. I was living with my family and at the height of my addiction. I felt hopeless about my situation but didn’t know how to change it. My family and I fought all the time and I was asked to leave their home. I felt I had nowhere to turn when the neighbor told me about Community House on Broadway where her daughter worked. I called and was able to move in right away.

I started mental health counseling and substance use treatment soon after moving in. Once I got traction in treatment and some clean time under my belt it was time to think about my future for the first time in over 20 years. I had no idea what I wanted to do or was able to do to support myself. My physical health had taken a toll due to years of use and not taking care of myself.

I kept all of my appointments and worked through my treatment goals with the help of my counselors from Core Health. If it wasn’t for Core Health I wouldn’t know that I have PTSD which is what kept me in addiction for so many years. I learned a lot about myself and how to use healthy coping skills. My peer specialist likes to call this my “tool box.”

I worked with support services to sign up for college and to obtain housing assistance. I moved from CHOB into my own apartment in January 2023 with the help of the services I received from CHOB. I continued with college as well as substance use treatment and mental health counseling with Core Health. Eventually I graduated from treatment. I was given the opportunity to work for CHOB as house manager and I jumped at the chance to help people who are in the same place I once was. I love my job and can’t see myself doing anything else.

I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for CHOB and Core Health!

-Andrea