Hard work and dedication pays off for BHS client
Mandy Drake has overcome a lot in her lifetime. Weeks before hundreds of homeless people and their allies set up camp at Bronson Park in Kalamazoo last year, Mandy’s daughter and her became homeless. Their living situation had become toxic and with the help of Child Protective Services, they found temporary refuge at the YWCA as they looked for a new home. “We were not strangers to the park,” says Drake. “People who experience homelessness in a community as small as Kalamazoo tend to befriend each other, for camaraderie and survival.”
During this period in Mandy’s life, she began coming to Behavioral Health Services at WMU. She was attending a recovery group in support of her partner. After some time, Mandy found it hard to support someone on their road to recovery without confronting her addiction issues as well. That’s when she decided to start seeing an addiction and recovery therapist. For about a year now, Mandy has been coming for one-on-one therapy as well as family group and a peer recovery group in which her partner now facilitates.
“One-on-one therapy helped me understand why I do the things I do because of my PTSD history,” Drake said. “The therapists I’ve had have helped me so much!”
It's been nearly a year since Drake was handed the keys to her apartment she now calls home.
“This is the first time in my adult life that I haven't lived with a toxic roommate or abusive, substance using partner or family member,” says Drake.
She's focused on raising her child and attending therapy to address effects of childhood trauma and mental health issues.
“My mission now is to help others that are homeless navigate to various assistance programs that will benefit them the most and hopefully get them home as quickly as possible so they can begin their healing,” says Drake.
"Mandy has worked extremely hard to address several challenges that she faces on a daily basis,” says Joseph Kuchenbuch, coordinator of WMU’s Behavioral Health Services. “Her commitment to recovery and participation in daily recovery activities is truly impressive. Recovery for Mandy involves a maintaining a balanced lifestyle while managing her mental health, substance use disorder, and maintaining a healthy home for herself and her child. In treatment, Mandy demonstrates determination to work towards life improvement and a compassion for others that are addressing similar life circumstances and challenges. Her progress and successes are inspirational, and serves as evidence of the phrase, "It works if you work it".