Jesse was very young when he started using drugs. While he managed to abstain from drugs for short periods of time, he was never able to stay completely clean. He and his wife, Dana, were both actively using drugs when Dana became pregnant with their son. At that time, they were living in the basement at Dana's uncle's home. "It was a damp basement and that was pretty much our rock bottom," said Jesse.
Shortly after the birth of their son Lucas, Jesse and Dana reported that they had been actively using drugs. As a result, they were offered a number of community resources, including Family Preservation Services and the Family Behavior Therapy program at Family Services of NW PA. Family Behavior Therapy is provided in partnership the Crawford County Drug and Alcohol Executive Commission. Jesse and Dana took advantage of all the resources that were available in the hope of getting clean for their new son.
In addition to being receptive to services in the community, Jesse and Dana both put in tremendous efforts to make positive changes in their lives. "Family Services helped get me in the right direction and got me with the right people to help stay clean," said Jesse. "At the end of the day, I had to change my whole lifestyle, my way of thinking, everything."
Dana is grateful to Family Services of NW PA and her caseworkers for playing a part in her recovery. "They helped us find a house, get stuff for Lucas, deal with our active addictions," said Dana. "They taught us how to cope with all of this in our relationship."
Jesse credits a large part of his success to the rigorous treatment plan created by his caseworkers. "I'm the type of guy that likes stuff laid out in front of me, showing what my goals are," said Jesse. "It was nice to be able to see the small goals that would lead to the big goals."
Since ending treatment, Jesse has not only kept the same job, but moved up to a leadership position within his company. "I was able to keep a job, start from the bottom and work my way up, and now I am able to provide for my family," said Jesse. "And most importantly, I am able to have a family."
"Family Services has transformed our lives by a million," said Dana. "We have our own place, our own money, and we can actually go on vacation." In addition to the birth of their son, both Jesse and Dana believe that Family Services of NW PA played a large role in transforming their lives. "My complete mindset changed when my son was born," said Jesse. "I think it was a big factor in what got me clean, but Family Services is definitely what kept me on the path to staying clean."
"My son is the best thing that's ever happened to me and I don't know where I would be without him," said Dana. "Without Family Services of NW PA, I don't think I would be here today and I don't think I would have my son."
