When Amanda, 19, first came to Odyssey House Lafayette Avenue, she didn’t think she needed help.

However, she quickly realized how wrong she was. With the help of her counselors, Amanda has been able to recognize her problematic behaviors and identify what actions to take to change her lifestyle. Drug-free for six months, she values the clarity of sobriety.

“Coming to Odyssey House has been a big wake-up call for me,” Amanda says. “I still have a few months left in the program, but I’ve already noticed how my behavior and attitude have changed for the better.”

Amanda also knows that to move forward, she has to fix the actions of her past. Since being in the program, she has reconnected with her parents, working hard to be honest with them and regain their trust.

Her experience has led to an interest in the criminal justice field. Through our educational and vocational services, she has completed a Criminal Justice Certificate, which she hopes will be the start of a career. She plans to go back to school full-time to earn a degree in criminal justice and looks forward to having a positive impact on others in the same position she once was.