When Deonte Charmicheal rst came to Bridging the Tys to Jordan, he immediately felt at ease with the staff. The highly trained staff members work to create a comfortable, open atmosphere that allows all residents to open up about their problems with addiction. Their mission is to maintain professional relationships with their clients while providing all residents with a sense of friendship and comfort. “I love the center,” he says. “Everyone here tries to help each other and the staff truly care about us. It makes you feel like you’re in a safe haven.”
RECOVERING CLIENT SHARES EXPERIENCE WITH AN ARRAY OF STAFF MEMBERS
A HARD SEPARATION
Charmicheal began using marijuana at age 15. Drug use was common in his South Chicago neighborhood, prevalent among his friends and peers, who pushed Charmicheal to also use. Though his environment was a factor, he still believes it was his personal decision to smoke that led to his addiction. “I decided for myself that I wanted to try it. Some of it was that I wanted to t in, but it was still my choice,” he says. The lifestyle eventually led to him being arrested and imprisoned. The four months he spent in jail were traumatic. Being separated from his family began taking a toll on Charmicheal and he felt at a loss without a support system. It was especially dif cult to be separated from his 6-year-old son, who he only saw during short visits arranged by Charmicheal’s mother. “It was hard to explain to him why I wasn’t around. I hope my son can understand that I made a mistake,” Charmicheal says. “Hopefully he’ll learn from it.” After his release, Charmicheal was sent by his probation of cer to start recovery at Bridging the Tys to Jordan.
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