Wine Country Times

When Child Protective Services removed her youngest daughter from her care in August 2012, Meghan Lewis felt miserable.

“At the time, I was homeless, had an active case with CPS and felt dead on the inside,” she told the Wine Country Times. “My life had crumbled around me due to extreme drug and alcohol addiction.”

Soon after, Lewis checked into the Women’s Recovery Services (WRS) program, which is based in Santa Rosa, California. According to its website, WRC is a nonprofit group founded in 1975 to help families rebound when a mother is battling addiction.

The goal of WRS is to end the cycle of addiction by offering a lifeline that includes a safe place to live while allowing children to remain with their mother as the women learn the skills they need to function in society, the nonprofit’s website stated.

“The structured environment WRS provided during my residential stay was exactly what I needed to begin my journey,” Lewis said. “I felt safe for the first time in a long time. My life had been so unmanageable and unstructured for far too long.”

During her recovery, Lewis spent four months at WRS, and later transitioned to Mission House, a home that provides a safe “lower level of care” in a shared residence. She completed Drug Abuse Alternatives Center (DAAC) Perinatal Day Treatment, continued her 12-step program, found employment, and regained custody of her daughter.

She said the agency’s schedule of classes, meals and meetings helped her develop the stability to begin to focus on herself and her recovery.

“After my four-month stay, I was fortunate enough to move into Mission House where I attended DAAC Peri, continued my 12-step program, and eventually gained employment,” Lewis said. “I am convinced that the continued structure and accountability greatly contributed to my success. Not only was I provided a safe place to live, I was required to meet with my sponsor weekly, attend meetings, not use drugs, alcohol or nicotine and was afforded weekly parenting classes.”

Lewis credits much of her success to Barbara Joy, a WRS staff member, whom she described as “the best parenting instructor.” Lewis said Joy played a big part in helping her rebuild her relationship with her oldest son.

“Many weeks in her class, I would sob the entire class as a direct result of overwhelming feelings of guilt,” Lewis said. “She taught me how to respond to him and how to forgive myself.”

While the path to recovery was often rocky, Lewis said she grew as a person, mother, family member and friend.

“All of this has been an ongoing effort through spiritual programs which enrich my relationship with God,” Lewis said. “Nonetheless, I am convinced that none of it would have been possible without the firm foundation that was built early on in my recovery through WRS’ principles and teachings.”

Lewis also said she believes it is important for anyone struggling with addiction to know they are worth more than they may believe, and they should trust the process as they seek a new start.

“If I can do it, so can you,” she said.

Women’s Recovery Services offers a shelter that can accommodate 52 women and children, according to the group’s website. The nonprofit accepts donations to provide food, shelter, and counseling for its residents. The organization also accepts donations of diapers and baby food.

For donation information, visit the WRS website or Facebook page.