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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Children’s Community Residences

Our Children’s Community Residences, located in Queens and Long Island, provide a structured, supportive, home-like environment for adolescents who are ready for discharge from higher levels of care such as Residential Treatment Facilities and psychiatric hospitals, but are not yet ready to return home.

While in our program, working in conjunction with their family supports, youth learn the skills necessary to live and function as active members of the community, while learning to adopt the necessary coping, self-care and independent living skills necessary to successfully integrate back to the family home and  community.

Who Can Benefit from this Program

Youth with SED needing a structured setting in the community

Age Criteria

10- 18 years of age

How to Access this Program or Service

Referrals go through the Children’s Single Point of Acccess (C-SPOA)

 

 

Success Stories

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Shana’s Story

Family First

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

Last year, we placed

1,470

youth in employment, subsidized employment or internships

99%

of at-risk families throughout Brooklyn & Queens remained together and stable with family support services

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