St. Vincent de Paul | Louisville
January 2017
St. Jude Snapshot
Heroin Addiction and Alcoholism Are Common Among Residents in Search of Lasting Change Clients Are Grateful for Program’s Structure and Support Growth in one of our most in-demand programs is having the desired impact to treat more people. St. Jude Women’s Recovery Center, St. Vincent de Paul’s residential treatment program for clients suffering from alcoholism and drug addiction, recently expanded occupancy from 33 beds to 50. The increased capacity was good news for counselors, social workers and people in the recovery community at large, who stress the need for quality programs like St. Jude, where women in need have access to effective treatment resources along with a structured, secure housing program on the SVDP campus. St. Jude’s treatment services are provided through a partnership with Seven Counties Services’ Jefferson Alcohol and Drug Abuse Center ( JADAC).
Women in treatment at St. Jude Women’s Recovery Center gather in the library for conversation. From left: Tracy, Brittany W., Leeah, Mary, Bree, and Pam Scott, Program Manager of St. Jude.
To understand who St. Jude’s clients are, where they’ve been, and how the program is making a difference in their lives, we asked St. Jude Program Manager Pam Scott to invite a few women to share their stories. In an informal group conversation before the holidays, they did just that. Here are excerpts:
What is your background? Tracy: Horticulture degree, B.S. in Communications and Cultural Diversity. Culinary courses. Lost children 10 years ago due to addiction. Leeah: Went to Sacred Heart Academy. Worked as a cosmetologist for 15 years. Husband and four daughters.
Why are you at St. Jude? Mary, 35, says she’s there for the “stability” the program provides, and “to stay clean and sober.” Tracy, 45, sought help for alcoholism and her “attitude.” Two other women, Brittany and Bree, both 26, acknowledge their heroin addiction as their reason for being at St. Jude, while Leeah, 36, states she is there, “for recovery and to be a sober mother.”
How is St. Jude helping you? Mary: “It’s keeping me sober.” Tracy: “It gives us the opportunity to be a family and me the opportunity to be productive.” Brittany: “I’m not worried all the time.” Leeah: “I’m learning how to have structure in my life again.” Bree: “It’s saving my life.” What would you like to share
about your recovery journey? Mary: “The program works.” Tracy: “St. Jude gives me a safe (no use) environment.” Brittany: “I’m extremely grateful for St. Jude and St. Vincent de Paul.” Leeah: “St. Jude is a great, safe place to give women the ability to learn life skills that will help us in our recovery so that we will be ready to life on life’s terms again.” To learn more about St. Jude Women’s Recovery Center, contact Pam Scott at 502-301-8694; pscott@svdplou.org. To make a financial donation in support of St. Jude’s operations, contact Angela Champion Sprowl, Director of Development, at 502-301-8682; asprowl@svplou.org.