In 2017 I did a three year sentence in San Diego’s’ county jail, in Santee, California. It was there that I participated in their, “Pathways to Success”, program. It is part of San Diego’s’ Justice Scholars, for the “Formally Incarcerated Student”. I never knew that I was capable of success. I earned a 4.0 G.P.A. I realized I was hungry for an education, and part of my re-entry was, not only to close the Child Welfare case that I had open, and get my son back from the foster home. I also wanted to follow through and continue my journey to obtain a “higher education”. The journey was not easy. I accumulated certain resource through the county jail. I had a solid plan upon release, I stuck to it, with a determination like no other. I kept my eye on the prize, my son. I put myself in the hands of this program, I also put myself in a residential program, called K.I.V.A, in Lemon Grove. My bed was not ready. I had to go to a sober living in Spring Valley. It was coed. At night this guy kept knocking on the door, and hitting my roommate to get high with him. Since I was new, I felt like the “shiny new toy”, and eventually, that same guy started flashing me his meth pipe, asking if I wanted to smoke. I had just got out. The fact that I was not tempted, but angry that he had invited me to spoke, put my soul at ease. I knew I was gonna get my son back, no matter what challenges were thrown my way. The next day seemed forever to come. I did not sleep. The program picked me up, and took me to the residential program. I felt as if a great weight was lifted off my shoulders. I could not wait to see my son. I new I had to do what was expected of me at the program. I also knew that the social worker was setting me up to fail during my shiny and I was able to prove that during court. That is why I was able to prove to the judge that an extension of service was in my child’s best interest. I went above and beyond for my kiddo. The social worker had me going through all kinds of hoops. I didn’t care, I would have drank piss if it came to getting my son back. I went as far as the 24 month review hearing, and graduated the residential program. After that I had to find somewhere else to go, after four months there, I decide to go to Vista Hills Parent Care Program,who offered an intensive outpatient treatment program, but I will write about that tomorrow.
