Loyda pauses and reflects for a moment as she enters the North Park Community Park on a hot summer day.

Just a few blocks away is where she raised her kids. And now, she relishes the opportunity to stop by and, in a way, her visit brings her recovery experience full circle.

Loyda’s journey has not been the easiest, to say the least. At age 15, she was emancipated in the court system, and with one child already, she was forced to grow up quickly.

Domestic violence and other experiences led her to selling and using drugs. She worked to keep some kind of structure for her kids, but substance use never seemed to escape her life.

And then, one slip up changed her trajectory.  “I slid back, and got high,” Loyda recalled.

A friend recommended Loyda reach out to the Central East Regional Recovery Center (CERRC), an outpatient substance use disorder program run by Episcopal Community Services (ECS).

“My friend recommended ECS for the stability of my housing, so I could find a safe place to stay without drugs,” Loyda said.

She completed her first interview with ECS virtually. But COVID provided additional headaches for Loyda. Her father tested positive for the virus, which forced Loyda into quarantine. Meaning that she would be delayed in moving into a sober living facility. 

And she made another misstep.

“When I quarantined, I knew they couldn’t test me,” Loyda said. “And I fell back.”

Once she was out of quarantine, she tested positive for drugs. It looked like all her hard work was about to go out the window. But she got one more chance.

“Everyone agreed that they were going to test me again,” Loyda said. “If I passed, I could stay in the outpatient services of ECS. It was like a pot of gold for me to get back the trust of my family.”

Since then, Loyda’s been on the path of recovery.

“Eight months later, I’ve been supported by ECS,” Loyda said. “They’ve assisted me with my housing and move-in fees, clothing, transportation to get to work.”

Since then, Loyda has been an active participant in her recovery at the Central East Regional Recovery Center (CERRC).

And now, Loyda has remained housed and in recovery for the past 8 months.

“I was feeling lonely, and I didn’t have anyone to talk to,” Loyda recalled. “But ECS has always been there. It’s really been an amazing ride. I really appreciate everything.”

But it’s more than the recovery services offered at CERRC.  

“I received help with my housing and move-in fees, clothing, transportation to get to work, and employment services. And now, here I am as a helpful member of my community,” Loyda said.

She’s returning to her life as an involved grandmother, picking up her grandson from school daily. And she just started a new job at 7/11, which has given her a fresh start.

“I’m very happy with my life today,” Loyda said. “I’m full of joy. I was grateful to be able to get my life back.”

However, she’ll be the first to admit, recovery is a process.

“It’s one day at a time,” Loyda said. “Everyone wants to hurry up, but no, you take it one day at a time. It’s not going to come at once. If it does, then what did I get out of that?”

Loyda continues to be on the road to recovery. But she’s felt less alone during these isolating times because of her involvement with ECS.

“ECS is a community that walks with you, and you don’t feel alone,” Loyda said. “That’s a good feeling.” 

Watch Loyda tell her recovery story.