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Fulisha Fulmer-Kalanges, age 15

My life is more enjoyable now that I live with my mother. Before I came to live here, I was living with my aunt, and I didn't like it that much. It just didn't feel right.

When I was a little girl, I used to sleep next to my mom and I would feel so safe. I remember in the morning I would hear my mom's voice waking me. I would spend all day every day with my mother.

Then my mother started using. I didn't mind it at first, but then I started spending less and less time with my mother. She started spending the money for our food on drugs and alcohol. We got kicked out of six houses. It didn't feel like my mother loved me as much anymore. Some nights I could hear my mother fighting with her boyfriends, and I could hear her crying. There was nothing I could do to help her. It was very frustrating for me.

But I always had faith in my mom. My family has been through a lot, but my mom is sober now. She has lived in supportive housing for two years, and has the support of the staff. It took time for my mom to get me back, but she did it! I now live with my mom and brothers, and I too have the support of the community and the staff here. This makes me feel so great! I too am clean and sober, and feel like I can do anything in the world I choose to do. I can happily say my family is happier, and my life is more enjoyable now that we are together again.