I used to feel lonely and scared all the time. I used to be angry when I woke up every day. A year ago, I was living in Boulder, Colorado and in an abusive, unhealthy relationship with a man that I resented, but I was terrified of leaving. I woke up every morning not wanting to live another day but I was too scared to change anything. However, by the grace of God, my family, aided by the help of a placement therapist, helped me find Safe Harbor. I entered the program after participating in a seventy-day wilderness drug treatment program and was able to regain control of my life that was quickly slipping away from me.

Arriving at Safe Harbor's Knox house I immediately felt a sense of ease and community, which I now know I have been searching for relentlessly my whole life through unhealthy relationships, drugs and alcohol. I was very fearful about living in a house full of women, but I very quickly started forming connections. Now, nine months later, I have a life I never would have imagined. I am currently a Support Staff member at Knox program and enjoy giving back what was so freely and generously given to me. I am so passionate about the program that I believe truly saved my life by showing me how to practice self-love on the journey to my recovery. I have made life-long friends here that are honest to me, support me, and help me walk through my fears and difficult times. I no longer fear waking up every day. I am excited for what my future holds for me and I am proud of the woman I am today.

I came to Safe Harbor with high expectations, but what I received went over and beyond anything that I could have imagined. After being in and out of inpatient rehabilitation centers for the past few years, I made the decision to go to an extended care program. When I made this decision I thought that I would spend three months out of my life, then I would go home, and everything would be OK. Well, a year later

I am still in California, and still at the house when ever I get the chance. You see the program has taught me so many valuable things. It has given me the tools to live life not only sober, but happy and productive. I know that now I can go any where that I want and not be in fear, but for now I am home. The women at Safe Harbor surrounded me, both the treatment program and the house are run and based on love and tolerance someone, be it staff or another client, is always willing and ready to hold your hand or just be that shoulder to cry on. Not to mention all the fun times there are, late night talks, coffee runs, meetings, the list could go on forever. One thing that is always true, whenever you are having to walk through something good or bad, there is always someone there to go through it with you. The women I have meet through Safe Harbor House, and the program are some of the most amazing and important individuals to me today. I am very grateful to have had this opportunity. It has been a life changing experience. It is definitely one that I don't regret.

A year ago, I was spiraling out of control and my life was in ruins. I was not proud of anything I had done or myself. Now I can honestly say that my life is full of love, happiness, and purpose. And I could not have had this great gift without the foundation I received in California. I was truly blessed with the opportunity to be at the Safe Harbor Treatment Center for Women. When I first arrived in California, I had no idea what to expect and I was afraid. My discomfort was soon eased after meeting Velvet. She welcomed me into her home and introduced me to the women. It only took me a short while to get to know everyone and find my place in the house. It was all so new and change is scary. But, I cherish every memory that I have of the safe harbor house and I would not give that up for the world.

During my stay at the house I saw three different groups of women come through the house. Each and every one of those women means something to me. There were bonds made between us that will never be broken. They all became my sisters. I also had the privilege of being the house manager. It gave me responsibility and I learned respect, humility, and compassion. I lived in Safe Harbor for eight months and I truly miss it. I moved back to Austin, TX and I still keep in touch with some of the women and Velvet. I know that if I hadn't of gone to live in the house I would have probably relapsed. It saved my life and also taught me how to function in the real world. I will always be grateful for the love and support I received from the woman of Safe Harbor house.

Safe Harbor will love you until you can love yourself." "This is what I was told by Velvet during my first week, when I was shaking with trepidation and unsure if I could do this 90 day recovery program. Still in my disease, I would find any excuse not to like it here. In fact, I put a lot of time and effort into being displeased with my peers and surroundings. But, alas, I was unsuccessful. I could not stop myself from forming bonds with the other girls in the house. I could not stop myself from looking forward to art therapy and body image counseling. It sounds bizarre, but the more counseling and love I received from the staff, the more excited I was to be me and to help those around me.

I have worked on my abandonment issues, my codependent issues, my love addiction issues, and my body image distortions. This is not to say that I have become perfect, for it is progress rather than perfection. What I am saying is that with each experience I encounter, I have learned something new and enlightening, which will help me better understand myself, my feelings, and my actions. There are times when I feel that I want to take a drink or smoke a joint, but the trust, love, and structure and accountability that Safe Harbor provides allow me to play the tape out and to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I feel truly grateful and blessed that Safe Harbor found me and that I've had the opportunity to grow and know happiness.

When our now 21 year old daughter, Amber, boarded the plane to leave her primary care facility, we had no idea how important the next few months would be to her recovery. This was all new to us, and we naively had thought that 28-30 days was the "cure" for addiction. How wrong we were, and how grateful we are for Safe Harbor. The seed had been planted in primary care and now the difficult part of transitioning back into the real world was beginning. We were full of fear and anxiety for our daughter's future, and Velvet and her staff at Safe Harbor helped to put our minds at ease as they welcomed our daughter with love and respect and made themselves available to us for our many questions and concerns as well as updates on her progress. Amber quickly made friends and became a part of the Safe Harbor family. When we visited her, we were so pleased to see the genuine care and concern the girls shared with one another.

In fact, we were equally blown away and touched by the honesty and openness they displayed. Amber completed her 90 days in treatment and, like many girls who come to Safe Harbor, went onto sober living. She did well for a time, but then due to a long term eating disorder becoming active once again, she chose to leave Safe Harbor against the recommendations of the staff rather than seek the treatment she needed. We were heartbroken and knew it was only a matter of time before she fell back into substance abuse, which she eventually did. We were beside ourselves and wanted our daughter to get the help she needed but knew that she also had to want that help herself. After a time, a crisis arose which really was the miracle that was needed to open up the opportunity for further treatment. We didn't't know, however, what type of treatment she needed or where to send her if she did agree to go. Velvet was a huge help to us during this time. She recommended and called a treatment facility for us that was perfect for Amber's needs; and, miracle of miracles, Amber agreed to go! While there, she stayed in regular touch with Velvet by telephone. After 90 days of primary inpatient treatment, Amber came through the doors of Safe Harbor a second time as a new person who was ready to truly work on her issues. She completed a modified version of the 90 day program at Safe Harbor and again went into sober living. During the telephone calls and visits that followed, it was apparent that she was certainly growing through the groups and classes she was attending but even more so through applying what she was learning in the relationships she was developing with the other young women in her home. Where every adversity had previously been met with drama and despair, a new maturity and sense of patience was developing. And as always, the gender specific environment gave her the space and support she needed to continue working on body image and relationship issues.

In sober living, our daughter had the opportunity to develop further skills that would enable her toward independence as she continued to receive the support and love of the Safe Harbor staff and the friendships she had made. She has recently celebrated 14 months of recovery, and we are so proud of her. She has just moved into her first apartment not far from Safe Harbor and is working and beginning to look into returning to school at the nearby community college. What we have learned is that there are no guarantees with this disease. What we are assured of, however, is that where ever our daughter's journey leads her from here, she not only has her family of origin, she also has the Safe Harbor family to love and support her along the way. What a huge blessing that is. Thank you Safe Harbor for being the amazing place that you are.