Lori B.
After living in a small town in Illinois I found myself in Oklahoma in 2015. My life took a turn for the worse when I quickly became entangled in a methamphetamine case after less than 2 weeks in Oklahoma. As I entered the TEEM, I felt like nothing more than a DOC number, devoid of hope.
Emerging from jail, I found myself stripped of everything I once had. Yet, TEEM was there to provide me with immediate essentials like clothing and food. They even helped me secure a job. Thanks to their unwavering support, I no longer felt compelled to rely on drugs. They saw value in me, reminding me of my worth and guiding me toward a better understanding of myself. TEEM changed my life.
Recently I have been struggling with personal issues at home, I desperately craved the escape that drugs offered. For 42 years, the only choice I had was to get high when life got hard. In a twist of fate, I ended up in the parking lot of TEEM, where I had a chance encounter with Sandra, one of the PRSS (Peer Recovery Support Specialist) staff members. In a rare moment of honesty, I admitted my desire to get high. Sandra, however, offered me something different—she introduced me to the power of gratitude and affirmations.
Remarkably, the person I never thought I could be—a PRSS—was now within reach. It was a role I had always aspired to, despite my past struggles as a meth addict with a criminal record. As I near the end of my time at TEEM, I finished up my training this week and passed my state test on Friday. As a recovering meth addict with I criminal background, I never thought I had anything that I could offer to someone to help them. Thanks to TEEM, I realized that I could now offer help to others and make a positive impact.
Through the transformative program provided by TEEM, I regained custody of my daughter. With my child back in my arms, I experienced the joy of attending her choir recital and witnessing her solo performance, which earned her an award. These were moments I thought I would only observe from a distance, believing I wasn't deserving. Yet, TEEM's unwavering belief in me reminded me that I was worth it. They transformed my life for the better.
Today, I find myself engaged in activities I once only watched others do, breaking free from the constraints of self-doubt. TEEM continuously reinforces my self-worth and empowers me to strive for greater things. Despite having spent time in prison twice and having come from nothing, I now possess something invaluable: a renewed sense of purpose. Thanks to TEEM, my life has changed in ways I never thought possible.
