Success comes in many different forms here at UMYH. Sometimes it takes the form of attending college, earning a degree to be a doctor, and living independently. Other times, it is being able to work through traumas and regulate emotions in order to focus on learning in the classroom. Each scenario very different, and no less celebrated as the latter can be arguably even more difficult. The amount of successes—both seen and unseen—Calla has had since being in UMYH programs are too many to count. 

“Before coming to UMYH, I was an addict. I’d dropped out of school, had no job, and no driver’s permit. Nothing else crossed my mind except for partying with my friends, drinking, and fighting. I was existing, but not living.”

When I came to UMYH, I experienced a major break-through moment; a total shift in perception of what my “future” would look like, if I continued on the way I was. I sat down, and thought deeply about what my life was like, right at that moment. Then, I thought about my wants and needs. This was the first time I had ever truly considered these basic essentials to be “real”, and worth working for. Beginning this process of self-examination, along with regular therapy (something I’d always been against) was so difficult, but it was when my life started to change for the better.

I now have a job, I’m a month away from obtaining my GED, I have my driver’s permit, and I’m going to Ivy Tech to get my CNA as soon as I graduate. I care very deeply about my sobriety and maintaining sobriety. I will never put myself around any of the negative people and things I used to surround myself with, because I’ve realized that attitude and outlook are everything. Positive attracts positive. You become who you hang out with, what you think, what you do. When I surround myself with all positives, I know it will lead me to opportunity and a life where I’m happy.

I wouldn’t have reached this point in my transformation without Michelle, Chinn, Tamara, LaShawna, and Mrs. Linda.” 

Everyone at UMYH is so proud of her, especially her therpaist and UMYH Clincial Supervisor Michelle: “Calla has been very brave and faced her therapeutic work head on. Her tenacity and drive to heal has helped her achieve a great deal while continuing to face change and personal challenges. She has addressed some powerful issues and it is obvious from her success that she is on the path to mental wellness and personal growth. We are proud of the goals that she continues to set and move toward, the sky’s the limit for Calla.” Calla earned her high school equivalency last week and we cannot wait to see what goal she conquers next!