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Testimonials

Whose Life Will You Change Today?

"Graduation. So…now it’s time to say good bye to all the MHS family! You know it’s been about a year now and I believe I’ve gotten the most that I could get from attending here at MHS. From all the different types of groups to a summer field trip to the beach, (which was soooooo…much fun and exciting). I feel the support that I’ve received here at MHS has allowed me to move on with my life and accomplish many of the goals that I’ve set out to do. For example: I started going to school while attending here, I’ve finished the school program and I’m now awaiting my phlebotomy license, I’ve followed through with getting a divorce, last but not least I did receive a job, (not doing exactly what I really want to do but it’s at least a job for now)! While attending here I’ve also gained a few really good friends that I am still really close to till this day! Good-luck and stay positive!" -- CalWORKs Graduate
“The Therapeutic Behavioral Services program and our coach taught us the life skills that I need as a parent and my son needs to control his behavior. Our lives have changed in a most positive way.” — Haven B.

“Reduction in criminal behavior results in incarceration cost-savings that are greater than the cost of the program. Of the clients who use MHS’ in-prison and parolee services, the rate of reincarceration has dropped from 70 percent to just 25 percent.” — Howard Foster, FACT, CADC, MHS Program Manager for the Parolee Partnership Program and the Prop 36 Assessment Center
“TBS helped teach me a lot of skills that I needed to help my son, and provided me with emotional support.  They gave me a lot of resources that I was not aware of.  I think the bottom line is that my son was close to going to a group home and if it hadn’t been for TBS he would probably be there right now…TBS was able to show me other ways of dealing with his issues…it made me realize there was still hope, when I had thought all hope was gone.  I would 100% recommend TBS to anybody dealing with the same problems.” – Parent of TBS Client

“I was homeless, drinking, depressed, and hopeless…I met (an MHS) Homeless Outreach Coordinator…offering people help through MHS. She helped me understand that I have a mental illness and that I was self medicating with alcohol and drugs for many years. I’ve been seeing a psychiatrist through (MHS) North County Mental Health Center since January 2, 2007, and I feel much better…Since that time, I have…completed individual therapy, and gone through Vocational Rehabilitation. I am about to start school to become an Emergency Medical Technician….My life has completely changed for the better from the moment I walked through the doors of MHS.” –Ricci M.

“During my time in custody, I was given the opportunity to go to Forever Free. There I learned that there was so much available to me once I was willing to change.  Forever Free helped me open up to the fact that ultimately it was all up to me; and I needed to decide what it was that I wanted to put into my recovery. The program kept me focused… I learned to ask myself, ‘How am I being and what am I doing?’  …On May 17, 2007, I was released to ‘start over.’…Cocaine brought me to ‘pitiful, incomprehensible, demoralization.’  Now, I practice daily something I learned while at Forever Free: ‘out of the problem, into the solution.’  I am so grateful…As I’ve moved into the solution, I’ve found that the “journey” of recovery—of life—is ever so sweet.” –Laurie D.

 “I learned about (MHS) FOTEP through the substance abuse program at CIW. I feel blessed to have been accepted to this program. Since I have been here I have learned to recognize and work on the issues that lead me to use drugs…All my life I have struggled with abandonment and abuse issues as a child, I’ve tried to numb my emotions through drugs and a life of crime. I’m tired of my old ways of thinking and living. In the time been here I’ve learned how to be happy, clean and sober.”
–Evie M.

“When I was six years old, my mother gave me my first beer. She also introduced me to my first crack pipe… I lived a life of drugs, jails, and getting beat up… I knew I needed to do something different…I got to Providence Place five months pregnant, scared, and unhappy. I was still on parole, and did not have a clue…I stayed at Providence Place 15 months learning how to be a mother, how to be responsible, how to care for others. I also let others care about me. I had a lot of trust issues when I got there, but one day at a time and sharing my story in groups, listening to what the counselors had to share with me, I learned to trust. Today, I am a working mom and a responsible member of society. I have a job that I have been at for (six) years… Providence Place made the life I have today possible.” –Michelle E.

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Regardless of the size of your contribution , we are grateful to you. We understand that people have many reasons for making a contribution. You may have experienced alcohol and drug addiction first-hand, or you or family member may have faced a behavioral health crisis, or you may simply be interested in supporting education. Whatever your reason may be, MHS is grateful for your donation and support.