September 2019 Newsletter

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No More Camping

Bullying in middle school is at least partially to blame for a life of not conforming to expectations, according to Tasha. She started drinking at 12-years- old. By 13, she was in a recovery program. After just two weeks of high school, she dropped out. Tasha spent those years at home, while both parents worked. When they tried to make her go to school, she ran away, encountering new troubles. It scared her to return home, where she stayed until she was 25. During that time, Tasha had three children. Her youngest child was with her at an inpatient treatment program. When she threatened to leave, her child was placed in foster care. Tasha said, “That was the trigger that sent me downhill into heavy drinking.”

When no one else would take her and her boyfriend in, because they were fighting so bad, they camped out along the river, summer and winter. A friend shared her SSI check. All three went to three food banks. Her boyfriend worked odd jobs, enough to sustain their lifestyle. Tasha’s mom told her about Samaritan Inn, but she was too scared. Her meth addiction was stronger than any enticement the Mission had to offer. It took law enforcement to change her. After her third DUII, she spent five months in jail. Then she was caught driving with a suspended license and spent 10 months in prison. She was forced into getting clean and sober. Her prison counselor told her about Samaritan Inn. Tasha agreed saying, “I want to be with my family. I missed out on a lot.” She knew the way to Samaritan Inn, because she used to take her kids to the old Umpqua Medical Center, before we purchased and remodeled it.

Samaritan Inn is an important part of the transition from an addiction and omeless lifestyle, as well as prison life. There is a continuation of accountability nd structure, yet with the freedom to explore the possibilities of employment nd housing, and to re-unite with family and friends in a healthy way. At 33, Tasha ot her first actual job, working as a motel housekeeper. She said, “I actually like , because it keeps me busy. I will have money to get my own place.” Her two ldest children told her, “We have wanted to live with you for a long time, but ou’ve been too busy with friends.”

Tasha has been re-connected with some women that did Bible studies at the ail, because they also do chapel here. Now she goes to church with them. She aid chapel speakers talk about things that she can relate to, and they teach from he Bible. She expressed, “Chapel makes me happy, its uplifting, exciting, my time with God. Since I have been here, I have met a lot of wonderful people.”