Licea’s own parents immigrated from Michoacan and San Luis Potosi in Mexico. She was born in Chicago Heights and attended Bloom High School, giving her a mixed-cultural upbringing. For years, the adjustment from Mexico to Illinois was hard on her parents. Licea remembers the struggle to join a new culture with di erent routines and traditions. ough they wanted to participate in the community, they didn’t know how until they began making friends through their church. “ eir spirituality helped get them through,” says Licea.”But it was a hard time.” She understands the struggle of adjusting to a new environment that seems completely foreign. rough her mixed-cultural upbringing, she witnessed the hard transition her parents went through and her own struggles growing up as a minority. is background inspired her to help others in the Hispanic community. Creating comfort For many Hispanic clients dealing with their DUI/DWI o enses, they are often forced to pay the costs using the money they would usually spend on their families back home. It’s a challenge to nd assistance from people who understand their situation and language barriers. Elite House of Sober Living wants to make sure language barriers don’t prevent Spanish-speaking clients from dealing with their DUI/DWI. Licea provides counseling completely in Spanish to ensure her clients are comfortable and understood. She’s encountered many immigrants who have left their families in Mexico and don’t have a support system to get through the dicult time. Providing that specialized support is what the Elite House sta are trained to do. “ e sta here is amazing,” Licea says. “I’ve gained valuable knowledge from all of them. Mr. Ellis has taught me so much about the e ects of alcohol and substance use. I didn’t fully realize the physical and psychological e ects that addiction can have until I started working here.” eir concern for each client is at the heart of Elite House of Sober Living. ey strive to make each individual’s time there as easy and stress-free as possible, providing group therapy sessions, individual counseling and DUI/DWI classes. Licea, a proud member of their team, aspires to help others like her parents and ensure that every client is equally cared for.
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