Meet Us Monday: Melissa, Peer House Leader

Posted: June 3, 2024 | Author: Real Life Staff

Melissa was born in Maryland and raised in Roanoke, Virginia. She had what she describes as a typical childhood and teenage experience. After getting her GED, she was introduced to drugs in her twenties through her longtime partner. Melissa said, “It happened really fast. One day I was introduced to one thing and six months later I was a drug user who used everything.” She spent years in and out of jail for various reasons, and about five years ago her sister gained custody of her three children.

“The last time I went to jail, I was so tired,” Melissa said. “I was tired of getting high, tired of living on the streets, tired of not knowing when I could shower or when I could eat. I told my counselor in jail that I needed something. I didn’t want to get out of jail and use again.” She was directed to REAL LIFE.

Melissa is turning her life back around. She is sober, she speaks with her kids multiple times a week and has been to visit them twice. “This is the longest amount of time that I’ve been able to stay sober,” Melissa said. “For me, that is life-changing.” She is working to restore the relationship with her children by remaining consistent and reliable and working the program faithfully.

Becoming a Peer House Leader has felt natural for Melissa. She has been observing other women in the Peer House Leader position, and she liked seeing how the women managed the house and related to the women. “I’ve already built relationships with the women in the house. They know my views on everything and what I expect already.”

Melissa graduates from REAL LIFE next month. “I take my sobriety very seriously. I want better things in life for myself.” We want this for you too, Melissa. Keep up the hard work!

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