Today we worked with the Santa Maria Hostel, an organization that helps women who are dealing with drug and alcohol abuse problems. When I first heard that we were doing this, I really didn't know what to expect but I knew that it would take me way out of my comfort zone. When we arrived, we were greeted by Pamela, the volunteer coordinator (who is also a Dominican sister, so fun!!!). At the hostel, Saturdays are family visitation day so there were lots of little kids running around. As we were waiting to start the arts and crafts with the women, visiting hours ended and the family members had to leave. Seeing the moms saying bye and hearing the babies cry and cling to their mothers was definitely the hardest part of the day. It was pretty intense and almost every member of the team was fighting back tears. It definitely brought home the reality of the situation the women are facing.
For the art project, we made collages with the clients. It was amazing getting to spend time with the women. Some of them told their stories openly, others barely responded to questions. No matter how they interacted, it was awesome to think of the amount of hope in the room. The simple fact that the women were in a treatment program meant that they were working towards a better life for themselves and their children. The whole Santa Maria Hostel experience was one that opened my eyes to the reality of the pain of drug addiction and the hope that recovery can bring.
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