CIT Driven Partnerships with the Faith Based Community to

Address Homelessness and Substance Abuse

Adriane’s Story

As a child I was treated unkindly and told I was worthless.

I first attempted suicide at age 13.

As an adult, I married, and for 19 years, lived with emotional abuse and

physical and sexual violence.

I took my vows seriously and believed “till death do us part”.

My family never knew.

I was paralyzed on my left side. I thought I was having a stroke. The

hospital could find nothing physically wrong and referred me to Emergency

Services in the MHSA division.

I was not diagnosed as having a mental illness until I was 38 years old.

I have participated in the trauma group, MESA (Mutual Education

Support and Advocacy) classes, the medication management

program and have received psychiatric treatment.

It took me seven years to get well.

I came out of that dark hole and want to help others.

TodayAdriane is a

Wellness Recovery Action Plan Facilitator

Tim's Story

I am a 33-year-old man who started to use drugs when I was 15.

Until recently, my life was defined by my habit.

My habit was out of control. I was breaking the law to support a $300

a day heroin addiction.

My probation officer referred me to the City of Virginia Beach’s outpatient day

program.

For me, recovery was a full-time job.

At Magic Hollow, I gained many "tools" to succeed.

I still use them today.

Part of my recovery has been to “pay it forward."

Sometimes, it is as simple as sharing my story, and I appreciate

the opportunity to do so.

I've been in recovery for about 5 years.

I got married.

I have a steady job.

I buried both my parents.

I secured my first mortgage.

I earned my bachelor's degree.

All these circumstances, in the past, could and would have

caused me to use (heroin). But through God's grace and the

lessons learned, I am substance-free.

I owe my life to Virginia

Beach’s day treatment program.

COLLABORATION

COMMUNITY

HOW TO GET STARTED IN YOUR

COMMUNITY

Define The Problem!

WHAT ARE YOUR COMMUNITY’S UNMET

NEEDS?

Who Do You Know In Your Community who Is a Major Participant in

Serving those in Crisis?

Are There Existing Coalitions?

How Can You Identify More Organizations

To Participate?

TOOLKIT FOR CLERGY

QUESTIONS? COMMENTS?

For more information, contact Barbara Trainor, Virginia Beach CIT Administrator

757.385.0501btrainor@vbgov.com