Meet Theresa
“Before I came to Cara, I was feeling unmotivated. I was newly in recovery, and stuck in a cycle of working temporary jobs that never ended up hiring me full time. It really discouraged me and I wasn’t feeling any sense of fulfillment. I had responsibilities as an adult that I needed to see through. I wasn’t a young child that can depend on others anymore. A quality job is necessary for someone my age. Temporary positions don’t give you consistency, and in order to maintain sobriety, it was important to have a routine.
“I was standing at the bus stop and I saw the Cleanslate crew doing their usual rounds. It looked like they were doing good work. When I approached them about it, everyone had positive things to say and said that if you put in hard work, it led to a permanent job. I called the number on the truck, and started working there in October 2022.
“When I started at Cleanslate, I was getting frustrated at first. It wasn’t easy being in the cold weather while also cleaning up the streets. But, I kept reminding myself how frustrated I was at the temporary jobs. I was here for a reason and I just needed to keep going. As I kept participating in the classes at Cara and became closer with the staff and participants, I began to enjoy my time more. We would all motivate each other, and I started to feel like a part of the family. Then, I won Cleanslater of the Month in February 2023, which motivated me even more. I made sure to not lose sight of my goals, and hearing the stories of my fellow participants helped me do that. Being at Cara helped me realize that I wasn’t alone in my struggle. It wasn’t just my story anymore. Through this process, I found the strength to persevere and create a better life for myself.
“Being at Cara helped me realize that I wasn’t alone in my struggle. It wasn’t just my story anymore.”
“I learned a lot of patience through Cara. I waited for the best opportunity for me, and knew I deserved the best that life had to offer. I stuck with it, was a team player, and at the end I found the job I wanted. This week, I’m starting a position at Shirley Ryan Ability Lab as an Environmental Services Technician!
“I’m really excited for this job. I’m ready to keep reaching my goals that I’ve set for myself. I want to eventually purchase a building and be a residential landlord. I have big plans for my life and this job helps me get there. Cara gave me the stability that I need. I went from a cycle of temporary employment to finding a lifelong family at Cleanslate.”
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