Malama Family Recovery Center

Before going to Malama I was there physically for my kids but not mentally or emotionally. I felt like I didn’t have the right to even hold or touch my children and that I was an outsider around them. As I began to heal I realized what I was missing and wanted to get better so I could be there for my kids. I finally began thinking about the consequences of my actions and how they would impact my family. I also started thinking about what kind of life I wanted for my children and what I needed to do to make that happen. My relationship with my children is still mending, but we are a good team and I love being there for them as their interests develop. I missed a lot of moments that I can’t get back, but now that I’m sober and clean I am so much more active in their lives. I love being there for all the hugs and kisses, the silly moments and the craziness of everyday life. Going through Malama made me realize I am stronger than I thought I was. I fought for myself and my kids. If I hadn’t gotten better I would have lost my children, and to me, I achieved the unachievable.

Malama gave me a second chance to live a better life and to get my daughter back. I appreciate the staff’s patience and understanding. I am grateful for the clean and sober living environment, a roof over my head and a hot shower. Thank you for guiding me in the right direction when I was trying to go the wrong way. And thank you to the TLP staff for helping me get all my essential needs met. Because of you all I now have a beautiful, bright future ahead of me and am truly grateful.

Malama has never given up on me. Being in treatment here is not easy, but they helped so very much — they showed me how to be honest, open and willing to give up what has bothered me so much. Malama helped me find myself, get my GED, get into school and get my drivers permit so I can visit my children. The staff helped me be calm and happy with myself and especially to love myself. Now I tell other people to just not give up even if you are having a bad day. Thank you to the Malama staff for loving me and being there for me when I needed a friend to talk to and someone to tell my problems to.

Being at Malama changed everything because it provided a home where I could get the love that I couldn’t give myself before. My children would not have me today if I hadn’t had such an amazing group of healing people around me. Quite simply, I rose from the ashes and would not have the relationship I do with my children if I had not been able to heal. Malama provided a foundation for me to go through the healing motions of being a mother and staying strong for myself and my children.

While in prison I had the chance to do drug treatment at Malama and jumped at the chance. There I learned basic life skills, became more responsible, changed my thinking and realized my core beliefs. After graduating from Malama I obtained both an Associates and Bachelors Degree and then became a certified substance abuse counselor….Malama was my light when my life was in total darkness and gave me back my self-esteem and self-confidence to be what I want to be. Now I have the opportunity to help those that are currently in the situation I once was with a total understanding of where they are coming from and the challenges they are facing in their lives. I am truly blessed with daily reminders of how people can overcome obstacles and accomplish all their dreams.