Welcome to United Way Monterey County

Donna was 22 years old and suffering from a four-year addition to methamphetamine. When she was admitted to Door to Hope, she had lost everything – her health, her home, her job, her freedom and custody of her four-year-old son. She had been living in the streets, spending each day looking for her drugs. She was emaciated, depressed and had a history of suicide attempts. Her son didn’t know her and no longer called her Mom.

Finally, Donna decided she wanted desperately to change.

She entered Door to Hope’s treatment program, deciding to do whatever it took to recover. She attended all group meetings and completed her recovery assignments. She confided in her counselor, developing a trusting relationship that allowed her to resolve long festering issues. Slowly, she began to improve – she gained weight, her grief receded, and, after three months, her son came to visit. Discouragement and despair were replaced by encouragement and hope. Slowly her confidence and self-esteem returned and she began to believe she could recover and return to a productive life.

After six months, Donna graduated from Door to Hope and moved into transitional housing through Shelter Outreach Plus’ Homeward Bound. She found a job working for a construction company. A month later, Donna regained custody of her son. Eighteen months later, she was promoted to bookkeeper and began to look for an apartment.

Donna has continued to work on her recover program and today, five years later, she owns her own home, her job title is Business Manager and, most importantly, she has a loving, nurturing relationship with her son. She has achieved long-term recovery one day at a time and volunteers at Door to Hope and serves as an AA sponsor. Donna serves as an inspiration to others everyday.