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Ellen’s employment history reflects a work ethic and dependability that is vital to economic self-sufficiency. She has successfully worked full time for more than 27 years in the local manufacturing field for three employers in Western New York.
Four years ago, Ellen was injured at work and needed surgery on her shoulder. During her recovery, she became addicted to pain medication. Ellen admits she had other stresses in her life at that time that contributed to her desperate state of mind. Her reliance on pain pills eventually graduated to heroin. Her addiction put her in a world of unimaginable depression, and a struggle to make it through each day.
Ellen came to The Salvation Army because she knew there would be no judgment, no shame and a “beacon of light and hope in a very dark world.” She was referred to resources like Narcotics Anonymous by one of our caseworkers. Ellen has now been heroin free for four and a half months. After attending Narcotics Anonymous for the past year, she knows every day she has a 50/50 chance of slipping back or moving forward. Ellen chooses to move forward.
With the help of the Erie County Department of Social Services, she has moved into an apartment where she is safe. She is so grateful to The Salvation Army for giving her hope and putting her in touch with resources like Narcotics Anonymous and the Department of Social Services to help her continue to rebuild her life.
-- to protect our client’s privacy we have changed her name
Tags: Faces of The Army