Jamie Fuller
Jamie Fuller was living a life she hated, but she didn’t feel as if she deserved better. She had been addicted to drugs and alcohol for more than 13 years, struggled with depression, spent countless nights in jail, and was in an extremely abusive relationship in which she was beaten almost daily by her boyfriend.
“I had such low self-esteem that I really didn’t feel like I was worth anything,” she said.
At one of the loneliest and darkest times in her life, Jamie discovered that she was pregnant. This was a defining moment and changed things for her. She had been through a series of treatment programs in the past, but had not been able to remain sober.
“I went to treatment, but I never had any hope,” she said.
Her pregnancy led her to a long-term program for women called the Center for Hope, a program of Community Bridges. The Center for Hope offered Jamie a comprehensive program designed to address underlying trauma associated with her substance abuse. Jamie made a commitment to the program where she received services to address what she believes ultimately helped her to stay clean and sober and begin a new life.
“All of the supportive staff helped me to feel like a human being again,” Jamie said. “I wasn’t just a number to them, and I really believe that I wouldn’t be alive today if it weren’t for their support and intervention.”
Today, Jamie is sober and in recovery. She is the proud mother of a healthy, rambunctious 4-year-old boy born while she was at the Center for Hope, and she has rebuilt her relationship with her 18-year-old daughter. Since Jamie’s recovery process began, she has overcome so many barriers that had once been roadblocks. With the right support and assistance, she was able to address legal issues, employment, housing, custody issues and abusive relationships.
Jamie has learned how to love herself again. Today she is building on her future. Two years ago, Jamie was offered a full-time job at Community Bridges in clinical operations and then transferred to the organization’s new women’s outpatient program called ASPIRE. Jamie is the housing specialist who helps women find help, hope and supportive housing.
“I survived my past and now I am stepping into a future that was meant for me,” Jamie said. “My past no longer has a hold on me. It took me awhile to realize just how precious and special I am, as well as the family and friends who have rallied around me. When I think about the years I’ve wasted, I get emotional. I just didn’t see that I was worth it back then. Now I can say, ‘Heck yeah, I’m definitely worth it!’”
