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My Sister’s Garden is a non profit organization formed to sustain the long-term recovery of women who have experienced the harms of addiction.
Donna’s* parents called her, “Stupid” and “Ugly.” They locked her in the basement for hours at a time “in order to teach her a lesson.” Both of her parents used drugs. She dropped out of school at 14 and shortly thereafter she went to live on the street.
At age 30, Donna was picked up for soliciting. She was so bruised by the men in her life that she could barely lift her head from the jail cell floor. Donna listened as Beth, crouched beside her, spoke softly and assured her that she is a worthwhile person.
As Beth began to explain the benefits of joining a 2-year supervised program called CHANGE court, Donna felt hope. Donna opted to join the program and she began to happily count each day that she was healthy and free of substances.
Beth is at the forefront of helping women break the cycle of addiction. She works as the CHANGE court coordinator and she volunteers with My Sister’s Garden. Beth channels her own survival from a serious medical condition to empowering other women to be survivors.
Donna overcame many obstacles during her time in CHANGE court — physical cravings to return to using illicit substances, being honest about a relapse, a pregnancy and difficulty finding housing but she graduated with a healthy baby, a job and her own apartment.
Sadly, Donna’s strength continues to be tested every day.
As she waits at the bus stop to get to work, people throw drug samplers at her feet. Bus drivers often drive past her, claiming they are full, so that they can stay on schedule and not wait for a stroller to be folded and carried aboard.
My Sister’s Garden is building capacity to support the safe housing and transportation needs of CHANGE court graduates and other women in recovery from opioid dependence.
Your contributions will fund:
- Adding direct support staff for our long term supportive housing, opening soon!
- Safe, reliable transportation, providing better access to employment opportunities and to medical appointments
- $5000 Training in Motivational Interviewing for peers in recovery. Reduced relapse rates, and increased treatment retention are research supported outcomes of peer counseling.
- Trauma-informed therapy and healing modalities such as art, music, dance, writing and access to therapeutic animals.
My Sister’s Garden could use a partner like you in order to extend our reach. Please consider a generous gift today.
My Sister's Garden is a registered 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are tax deductible as charitable contributions to the fullest extent allowed by the law.
My Sister's Garden
P.O. Box 37169
Cincinnati OH 45222
*name and minor details changed to protect identity
Organizer
My Sister’s Garden
Beneficiary