Shana’s Story

I have been challenged with addiction for 10 years, and have been in and out of outpatient treatment and detox several times – but I would always relapse.

When I arrived at Morning Star, I was at the lowest point in my life. Things were spiraling out of control. My four children had been taken from me and placed in foster care with a family member. And then I learned that I was 5 months pregnant.

I arrived with the worst attitude in the world. I was just so angry all the time. But at Morning Star, I started to reflect and gain clarity. I realized that I was hurt and angry with myself. And that’s when the healing began. Everything had been a fight up to that point. But I had nowhere to run – I had to face my problems.

Morning Star helped save my life. They never gave up on me.

Every interaction with my counselor and every staff member helped prepare me to re-enter the world clean and ready to thrive.

I attended treatment 5 days a week, attended a medical assistant program, and became certified in a workforce development program for nontraditional roles for women. And I learned that I am worth it! From now on, I show up, set up, and remain teachable.

When my baby, Liliana, was born, I can’t express how much the onsite child care at Morning Star II helped in my recovery. It made it possible for me to go to treatment, attend school, and focus on me. The structure kept me accountable for being a parent and prepared e for the real world.

I knew I was finally on a path to a better life when I left Morning Star. The court saw the improvements in me, too, and my children came back home to me. I never thought that would happen. Today, thanks to Morning Star, I have a home and my family lives under one roof.

I still visit the program to let them know of my progress. My goal is to be fully self-supported. I know there will be obstacles ahead of me. But I am prepared to take it one day at a time.

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CFL Family Foster Care – Sunset Park

Our Family Foster Care program, which has gained wide recognition as a model for neighborhood-based, family-centered services in New York City and across the United States, provides training and case management for licensed foster families in Sunset Park.

By placing children with foster families in the community, the program seeks to reduce the trauma of separation from family members and to maximize opportunities for remediation and reunification in a normalizing neighborhood environment. Our program model is based on providing help to overcome barriers to effective parenting and supports to promote greater parental competency. Equally important is our focus on supporting meaningful community involvement in networks of friends and social services, with the goal of promoting ongoing family stability. Birth parents, foster parents, and children have access to services and resources at the Center and in the community both during and after the placement period.

Who Can Benefit from this Program

Parents with a child in foster care, foster parents, and children in foster care who live in Sunset Park, Brooklyn

How to Access this Program or Service

Contact the program at 718.438.9500

This program is associated with...

Center For Family Life

Our mission is to promote positive outcomes for children, adults and families in Sunset Park through the provision of a comprehensive range of neighborhood-based family and social services. Read More

Foster Care

For over 50 years, SCO's Foster Care practice has been helping children and their families grow, heal and thrive. We find safe, temporary families for children and teens throughout New York City and Long Island. Read More

Success Stories

Madelin, Omariano & Mariano

Baby & Me

“I get so much out of it. I don’t know what I’d do without Baby & Me.” Learn More

Shana’s Story

Family First

Morning Star helped save my life. They never gave up on me. Learn More

91%

of women in our residential recovery program remained substance free

98%

of the young adults in our Scattered Site Supportive Housing program were gainfully employed, engaged in school, or both

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