RECOVERING ADDICT DOING HER BEST TO STAY ON RIGHT PATH

Trisha Maki discovered Growing Home after seeking treatment for her
meth addiction. The group provided her with $200 to put down on a
two-bedroom apartment in Denver and has followed up to try to keep
her on the right path.

Maki, 36, said she's barely scraping by with a hotel job but has been
clean for more than a year. She has her three kids back and now is
training to become a drug and alcohol counselor. Her remarks have
been edited for space and clarity.

What led you to Growing Home?

I'm a recovering addict. I was hooked on methamphetamines for about
13 years, and my two youngest children had been taken by social
services. I was very privileged to have found the opportunity to go
to treatment that social services paid for and, in the process, to be
handed a referral. I needed a place to live to get my children back
in a home with me and this was a place on the list.

It's a program where they feed and shelter people, and I didn't
qualify for that because I was working at the time and my schedule
conflicted with that. But they did let me know about other services.
I found an apartment I could get into, but the financial part was
lacking, so they helped me out with a $200 deposit.

How did you end up using meth?

I started in my early 20s. Later I was involved with a guy, and he
was interested in it. I'm an addict, so when it was brought around I
started doing it again. I lost everything I've owned two or three times.

How did you find the right path?

Social services said you can't even see your kids until you get into
a treatment center and straighten up. The day before I was supposed
to go to Arapahoe House I was so lonely, in this deep, dark hole. I
thought, 'What am I without my kids? What is my meaning in life
without them?' I got to a point I knew I was capable of doing
something better. I knew I needed to take this opportunity because
something good could come out of it.

How else has Growing Home helped out?

They also follow up with their clients to see how we're doing. They
helped me with a Thanksgiving basket and they called and asked for my
childrens' names and a list of things they wanted for Christmas.
There are families willing to adopt families in need. And the deposit
helped me get an apartment.

How are you doing today? Have you been close to using drugs again?

I once was clean for three years, and that's what I keep looking at.
You are just that close to another drink or another drug. I know
right now I'm doing the best I can. I recently got a letter from my
daughter, out of the blue, that said, 'Mom, we're very proud of you.
You're a good role model.' Those things I never would have heard. I
wasn't there for them and now I can be there.

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GROWING HOME

Mission: To provide shelter, affordable housing, meals and other
assistance to families experiencing or at risk of homelessness and to
increase community involvement in direct services and advocacy.

Founded: 1998 as Adams County Interfaith Hospitality Network

Clients helped each year: More than 3,000 households, or 9,000 people

Number of staff: 8

Number of volunteers: 1,000

Budget: About $240,000

Web site: www.growinghomecolorado.org