Transitions Voted "Best Local Nonprofit"

The readers of Spokane and Coeur d'Alene Living Magazine voted Transitions "Best Local Nonprofit of 2009"  We are thrilled to be recognized for the hard work and healing that goes on at the Women's Hearth, New Leaf Bakery, MIryam's House, Transitional Living Center and EduCare.
 
On Sunday, November 22 "Dinner at Miryam's House" was the feature story by Rebecca Nappi in the Today section.  Rebecca has been a champion for Transitions and delivered the moving keynote address at our People Who Care fundraiser in October.  If you missed her beautiful story about the importance of "family" meals, click HERE.

Look for an early morning story about the New Leaf Bakery Café coming up soon on KXLY.  Reporter Colleen O'Brien spoke with many of the trainees at the New Leaf as they hustled around the kitchen preparing orders to-go and for the Café kiosk in the Catholic Charities building at 5th and Divison.
 
In the Oct/Nov Northwest Woman Magazine, a Miryam's House alum told her personal story about overcoming addiction, incarceration and anger to find peace, hope and a new sense of purpose.  If you haven't gotten your copy yet keep reading for a peek...

Andy has been through the justice system numerous times as both a minor and an adult. Due to fighting as an adolescent, she lived under juvenile probation on and off for 3 ½ years. When a Judge suggested she relocate to "a better living situation," Andy left Washington for a lifestyle she calls "straight & narrow" with an aunt in Nevada.
 
However, when Andy turned 18 she returned to Washington, back to what she refers to as "so-called friends," and was soon in trouble again. Using and selling drugs and stealing cars, Andy ended up in prison.  
 
Sentenced to 22 months, Andy was resistant to change. "I was angry" she remembers, and "didn't listen to the prison guards." After her release Andy attempted a sober lifestyle for three months, but then she says her addiction was "even worse than before."
 
Sinking deeper, Andy progressed from car theft to credit and check fraud. Six months after exiting prison, she was back in - convicted on numerous theft and fraud charges plus intent to sell drugs. Her second sentence - 38 months, added to the first, totaled 5 years in prison.
 
Towards the end of her second sentence, however, Andy's life changed forever: her grandfather and "best friend," died and she was not granted leave for his funeral. This was extremely difficult for Andy as they were incredibly close. "We did everything together... there was a real big bond there." Most importantly, Andy had promised him she would change her life and now, of course, he would not see her make this transformation. 
 
After a month of anger and increased rebellion, Andy resolved to fulfill her promise, to stop being "an addict," to stay out of prison. "It opened my eyes," she recalls. After participating in a treatment program during the rest of her time in prison and completing another after release, Andy moved into Miryam's House, a Transitions program.
 
Thanks to Miryam's, Andy is now working towards a Masters to become a chemical dependency counselor and is helping prevent drug and alcohol abuse in Spokane. To find out how Miryam's helped her do this, pick up a copy of October's Northwest Woman magazine at newsstands today!