Alumni Testimonials
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Before entering treatment, Javier M. had served 4 terms in prison and was an active gang member since the age of 10 years old. Most of the people he surrounded himself with (family, friends, and acquaintances) were living the same lifestyle. He was using substances, didn’t care about anything, and felt lost. This was all he knew and the life that he thought he would continue to live. The moment of clarity came to him in the middle of robbing a man when the victim asked him to leave him with $20 so that he could get home. Javier stated in an LA Times interview, “Something happened to me, I broke down and started crying. I told him I was sorry, I didn’t know why I do this. I gave him back his phone and money, and even some of my own. I told him, ‘I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I just do stupid stuff.” Javier called to enter treatment the very next day at the Omni Center.
JAVIER M.
Omni Center Alumni
“This program drew me out of my shell and into a community. I now take responsibility for my actions and appreciate the accountability I share with my friends here who are also trying to live clean and sober. It’s good to have this type of support and pick each other up by the bootstraps when needed.”
SAMANTHA
River Community Covina Participant
“Before I came to Rena B my wife and kids wanted nothing to do with me. But with the help of the Rena B staff, things are so much better today. I feel healthier and looking forward to reconnecting with my family.”
ALFRED
Rena B resident
I was carrying a Hefty bag full of clothes and clutching a few photos of my family when I walked into the office of River Community to check myself in, by orders of the court, for the next six months. I sat emotionless staring down at the carpet while my husband answered the questions asked by the staff in order to admit me. There was no fear, there was no sadness or anxiety knowing I would be miles away from my two children ages 12 and 15 at the time. I had given up on myself as a human being let alone as a mother, wife, sister or daughter. Thus, there were no feelings of ever being of any use to anyone. So how could there exist any feelings of remorse?
TERESA M.
River Community Alumni
I started on my path to recovery in July of 2005 and can proudly say that I have 10 years of sobriety now. I had received treatment before, but it was through the motivation of a “get out of jail free card” and did not take it seriously. When I entered SMRS Mid Valley Drug Court program in 2005, I had no intentions of remaining clean and sober once my court obligations would be completed. I could not imagine living a life of sobriety because I did not think that I would be able to face the tragedies and traumas experienced in my life up to that point.
ANONYMOUS
Mid Valley Drug Court Alumni 2006
It was 1993 when I left River Community. It was my first time in treatment. Prior to entering River Community, I was housed at Glendale Memorial Hospital on the psychiatric ward. I had no family support — they were ashamed that I had resolved to take my life. I was placed in ICU and awakened in Daniel Freeman Hospital with doctors all around asking me my name. I was in a fog for several days. I was among so many strangers that were making decisions about me. I was relieved and at the same time did not know what to expect. I surrendered to them. I was receiving help from strangers. I was sent back to Glendale Memorial for further care. I was a mother, daughter, and sister and yet I was alone with the reality that I tried to end my life.
