T amiko Castillo describes herself as a "grateful, recovering addict" who resolutely believes the Mary Hall Freedom Village program saved her life in 2016. Struggling with addiction for over 35 years, Tamiko is thankful her mother was able to see her graduate in June of 2016 and become her mother's live-in caregiver while in recovery. She witnessed her mother for the first time, relaxing and relishing her life for nine peaceful and happy months, following Tamiko's sobriety, before passing away. Following her mother's death, Tamiko worked at Goodwill as a manager while she also continued working on her recovery. She then decided she was ready to relocate back to Georgia with a job lined up, and she also knew it was time to become re-involved with the community, which helped her in her recovery. She texted Lucy Hall, CEO of MHFV, a quick hello, and a selfie as a reminder of who she was and to let Lucy know she was looking for work in Atlanta. Lucy called Tamiko back within 15 minutes, connected her with HR at MHFV, and within a month, Tamiko was back where she started her recovery journey, only this time employed for the MHFV as a Recovering Housing Technician. Tamiko loves her job and expresses it often doesn't feel like work; she also knows she is right where she needs to be. She's responsible for ensuring the women in the treatment program have their needs met by assisting with their transportation, food, toiletry, and repair needs, anything to ensure comfort, safety, and support. Most importantly, Tamiko says, she can be an example for women in their recovery journey.
"Encourage, Motivate and Inspire women to believe in themselves" is the philosophy Tamiko carries with her daily as she strives to be a positive role model and make an impact at MHFV. "A friend told me everything I've gone through during my addiction and recovery was for something big and important. This is 'my something important." It's clear Tamiko has already motivated and inspired women at MHFV when she was asked by seven of the most recent program graduates to participate in their graduation pinning ceremony. She has been with MHFV just a year but feels with certainty she is, in fact, being impactful. Being pinned by a graduate is an honor that recognizes an individual who has had an immense influence on their personal recovery journey. She clearly remembers one of the graduates telling her, " You would always, always, listen to me." She recalls the graduate's big smiles vividly at their graduation ceremony, where she got to see each of the graduates she met at intake, ". . . go from caterpillars to full-
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