My given name is Rebecca. My name is associated with traits such as confidence, leadership and strength. 10 years ago, all these adjectives were true to who I was. I was born into a loving family; an understanding virtuous father, a dedicated mother and a younger sister with whom I was close.

I guess I began to deteriorate when my Father, my guiding force, passed away in late 2014. I was 24, my marriage had just fallen apart and just when I felt I needed his guidance more than ever, God took him home.

I'd never felt so lost in my life. The pain I felt that year was too much and without my moral compass to guide me I made the biggest mistake of my life. I tried opiods for the first time.

When they say drugs are a slippery slope, they aren't kidding. Within 3 months, I had given up custody to my ex-husband, I was homeless, jobless and had no choice but to sink or swim, so I did what any young female desperado does to survive and Im greatly ashamed to admit that. I know that this is not the path God wants me on. I am COMPLETELY ostracized from everyone; my remaining family as well as any friends I had.

But the name Rebecca relates to strength. And in mid-2016, God put the right people in my path and I was able to find my way off the streets. I NOW LIVE IN MY OWN APARTMENT. But 3 years on the streets can really put you through the wringer. I moved into an apartment in South Vancouver July 27th 2016. By then I had widdled away to 110lbs. I was malnourished, my teeth had started to break from lack of proper care, my hair was thinning and I was and still am under the influence of substance abuse. It started as a means to forget my daddy had passed away, but is now a coping mechanism to deal with the street work cycle I had gotten myself trapped into. It was and is the only means I know how to keep a roof over my head and milk in my fridge.

10 years I ignored everyone's advice. I thought I could do it alone, maybe I was scared or msybe I wasnt ready. Whatever the reason, it had to be MY WAY. Quit drugs - MY WAY. Reintegrate back into society - MY WAY. I've known no other way. I've been on my own since my dad died.

But that just wasn't true. I had forgotten something valuable that my Father tought me true - that Jesus was there the whole time. I came back to the church in 2017 and am still attending. It helps keep the pain at bay, makes me feel close to my old life.

The thought of asking others for help is a daunting task but Jesus has changed me in so many ways, including helping me to put down my pride. And that is why I've made this page. I can't go on another year living as I am - I JUST CAN'T and I need help to find my way back.

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THE DETOX CENTRE IS FREE, AS WELL AS THE MAJORITY OF TREATMENT CENTRES.

THE MONEY I'M ASKING FOR IS SO THAT WHEN I HAVE COMPLETED THE 3-5 MONTHS OF TREATMENT, I HAVE A HOME TO COME BACK TO.

$1500/MONTH IS THE MINIMUM I WOULD NEED TO PAY RENT, PHONE AND HYDRO. I PLAN TO BE GONE FOR 4-6 MONTHS. ANY DONATIONS PAST THAT ARE GRACIOUSLY ACCEPTED AS MY DENTAL SITUATION WILL EVENTUALLY NEED TO BE TAKEN CARE OF!

I WANT TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL AND CONTINUE WHERE I'D LEFT OFF PURSUEING A CAREER SOMEWHERE IN MARKETING AND BUSINESS...

GOD WILLING

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UPDATE!! (Aug 6/24)

This is long over due but phones are not exactly given to us with much freedom in treatment!

On April 18th 2024, I started my journey at Vancouver Detox. Detox is usually 5-10 days long and gives people a safe place to go through any physical withdrawal symptoms. You get a some pajamas and a bed and three square meals a day. There are also round the clock nurses and social workers on staff to aid. Detox is truly a blessing!

Thanks to the social workers, I was able to get into a recovery house called New Dawn on April 29th 2024. A recovery house is first stage. I live there with 6-10 other women. We do chores, group therapy, walks, programming, attend 12 step recovery meetings and eat together! New Dawn was such a blessing and provided me with a safe space to fully detox and get some double digit back to back clean days! But after awhile, I became complacent and felt like I could handle more!

On July 3rd 2024, I enrolled at Pacifica treatment centre! A treatment centre is also first stage but there are some key differences. Pacifica and most other treatment centre's are co-ed and are in specially tailored buildings. There are 3 floors and approximately 25 other clients here with me. We have programming such as instruction, process groups, morning and afternoon walks, in house AA/NA/SMART RECOVERY meetings, yoga, massage, meditation and mindfulness everyday until 5pm! The programming is much more rigid then a recovery house. However, I don't think I'd be able to succeed here if I hadn't gone to New Dawn first. The recovery house provided me with a comfortable landing spot to get used to being clean and living with others!

Today is August 6th and I am 105 days clean! I'm still at Pacifica and will hopefully remain here until September 25th as the program here is 84days long. I applied for PWD with the Ministry of Social Development on July 26th 2024 and am waiting to hear back. If I am accepted, they will cover most or all of my dental surgery and after care! If I am not accepted, then the surgery will cost approximately $1800.

So far with the money graciously donated, I've been able to cover 4months of rent ($1437 x 4 = $5748) and have applied $850 towards my bills and other amenities. I am doing well and it's all thanks to all of you who supported me during this INCREDIBLE journey of sobriety and self discovery. I never thought I'd be so lucky to have people in my life that cared enough about me to financially give and emotionally support me! THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH❤️‍

Till I see you all again, this is Rebecca McLaren signing off with 105days of sobriety!!