"(Alternative pictures used to protect identity of our clients)
“My parents were married to other people before they got married to each other. My dad was in the Air Force for over 10 years. We traveled the world always meeting new nice people but I felt lost. I started drinking alcohol and doing drugs when I was a teenager. I drifted to Charlotte, NC and took a class at InnerVision. I made friends there with unemployed persons in recovery like myself. I went through leadership training, volunteered and got a job. I’ve been sober, working for four years and living happily with my two cats.”
“My initial diagnosis was made at the age of 28 (I’m 40) after I suffered through two traumatic situations that halted my life. I wanted to work and looked for a job every day for 10 years but never seemed to find one that valued me. Today, I am at InnerVision. Finally I have a healing place where I can learn job skills and be with others who relate to my need to work and value my experiences. It has been a long road and I am still on it but now I am working part time in construction and part time as a Certified Peer Support Specialist and getting paid to help others like me.”
“At age 22, I have gone through, what most people don’t go through, in a life time. I have had every surgery, medicine, therapy, you name it, i have had it. I have had everything except a job! I came to InnerVision for job training and also learned different ways to make me job worthy including better ways to present myself. I learned how to cope through exercise, peer support, counseling, and facing my addiction problems. I got hired at an insurance company a few months ago. I am doing well at work. They respect me. I have used my computer skills to update some of the company forms. I do not talk about my struggles on the job. I talk things that bother me with my peers during our support group. I am pacing myself so I can get a promotion and take my first vacation.”