Success Stories

Rachel Harper…

“When I was growing up, my dad was physically, mentally, and emotionally abusive. My mom was in and out of prison and not around due to her meth addiction, which she still struggles with to this day. She never showed me how to be a woman and has never been much of a mother, which I really resent. Until I was 13
I got straight As in school and excelled in sports, but no one ever went to my games to see how good I was and, no one gave me the recognition I hoped for with my grades. Me and my older brother ended up hanging out with a gang, and we both ran away from home at 16. I ended up homeless hitchhiking across the country and sleeping under bridges or on the side of the highway. I came home at 17 and started using meth with my mom. I was instantly addicted and when my brother was sentenced to life in prison when I was 17, I felt like there was nothing to live for. I stopped caring about anything and had no self-esteem, no goals, and no family. On top of it all, I was a meth addict. I started selling meth and about a week after I turned 21 I was arrested with meth, marijuana and cocaine for sale. After I was out of jail I met my son’s dad and was pregnant again within a year and a half. When my son was about 6 months old, I started using meth again. I lost the love of my life, and I am lucky that I didn't lose my son.

“I went through Old Pueblo Families program and through homeless court. They paid off fines I had since I was 18, I got rid of a warrant that I had since I was 18, and they helped me get back on my feet. I started taking classes at Pima College so I can make a difference in lives the way Karen Wulff made a difference in mine. Most importantly, Old Pueblo helped me realize that I don’t want my son to see me the way I see my mom. I am a drug-free, single mother going to school full-time and working full-time, thanks to Old Pueblo Community Services.” 

Rachel Harper—25 years old