Success Stories

Essentials of Reentry - Centre County Success Stories 

Kelsea

My Name is Kelsea. I was born and lived with my family in California until I was about 3 or 4 years old. My Dad left my Mom and brought my brothers and I to Pennsylvania because he was tired of the drugs and lifestyle that they were living. He brought us here in hopes for a better life. My Mom eventually joined us about a year later. My Dad remarried and my Mother met someone new as well. Life was good! Until I was about 10 years old and something happened to me that I didn't know how to talk about. I held on to that until I was about 15 years old and found a way to cope, drugs and alcohol. My addiction only kept getting worse over the years. I had been in numerous abusive relationships. I was fired from every job I had ever worked due to drugs or alcohol. Then eventually in my early 30's I got my first DUI and was sentenced to the ARD program. That was easy, I did what I had to do to just get through it. Unfortunately, I didn't take it too seriously and ended up getting a second DUI shortly after I completed that program. Now, I am on probation and cannot pass a drug test to save my life. So, this is when my journey of multiple rehabs and many incarcerations begins in 2018 through 2021. Three rehabs, five incarcerations and three homeless shelters. I couldn't take it anymore! I eventually woke up and realized I needed to do something different. I was accepted into the Centre County Drug Court Program. I had a little hiccup in the beginning, but with the stability and support I had not only from my family and friends, but from Drug Court, Go Reentry and the connections I had made I am proud to say I have just over 2 years sober! I am able to be the Mother, Sister, Daughter that my family deserves.  I am currently taking a CRS/CRFS course, I am now working as a case manager at Out of the Cold: Centre County where I can share my experience, strength and hope! I have so many more goals I am excited to accomplish. Life in recovery has been quite a journey and I couldn't be more grateful!

Sydney

My name is Sydney. I was born in Pittsburgh but have lived in Centre County since I was 2. My parents got a divorce so that is why we relocated back to this area. I am an only child and from a young age felt super lonely. From ages 2-13 we moved around a lot and didn’t have a lot of stability. My dad was not consistent or very present in my life and my mom was busy making ends meet. I constantly felt like I didn’t fit in or was “different”. By 13 I was drinking and smoking marijuana. It quickly became a habit. By 15 I was starting to use harder drugs and found myself completely addicted to opiates by 17. During my addiction from the years of 2012 - 2017 I spent time in numerous facilities. From rehabs to psychiatric hospitals to jails. There was abuse, there was hopelessness, there was neglect for myself and my health, ignoring the people who love me and care.. I finally had enough after my last time in jail. In 2017 I got arrested for what would be the last time. I was offered Drug Court. It took a lot of thought to decide if I wanted to participate in the program or not. I was told by a lot of people that it was a super hard program and a “set up”. I ended up getting accepted into the Centre County Drug Court Program and being released in 2018. I was the first graduate of the Program in 2019. That accomplishment in itself felt so huge because I was slowly proving to myself how capable I was of remaining clean and sober and having a beautiful life. I have been a stay at home mom for 4 years now with three beautiful children. I am engaged. I am present. I am a good friend, mother, daughter, granddaughter. I have a little over 5 1/2 years clean. I am currently in a Certified Recovery Specialist/Certified Family Recovery Specialist training and can’t wait to be certified so I can help people just like me. I know first hand that I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support system of positive people that could relate to me and help guide me. Believe in yourself and you’re halfway there!