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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Family Support Program – Bedford Stuyvesant

SCO partners with families to prevent crises and enhance family well-being. Based on the evidence-informed Family Connections model, our home-based Family Support Program provides families with supportive services, counseling and advocacy, helping them strengthen relationships and develop resources to solve problems.

Who Can Benefit from this Program

Families with children birth to 18 who are in crisis and who would benefit from supportive counseling, advocacy and other services to help stabilize their families and improve overall functioning.

Eligibility Requirements

Families are referred by the New York City Administration for Children Services (ACS) or other community referrals.

Our Family Support Program serves the following Brooklyn communities:

Bedford Stuyvesant	Downtown	Navy Yard
Boerum Hill	Flatbush	Park Slope
Brooklyn Heights	Fort Greene	Prospect Heights
Carroll Gardens	Fulton Ferry	Prospect Park South
Clinton Hill	Gowanus	Red Hook
Cobble Hill	Greenpoint	Vinegar Hill
Crown Heights	Manhattan Terrace	Weeksville
Ditmas Park	Midwood	Williamsburg