By: Micaela Meyer, Marketing Assistant, Center for Human Services

From motel to motel and shelter to shelter–Evedena Ochoa describes her life as “chaos” before she turned it around.  Facing addiction from the age of 15, she didn’t know any different.

“My biggest need was getting sober.  I was in a lifestyle that I didn’t know how to get out of.”  After living at the Modesto Gospel Mission for a while with her 4 children, she knew she wanted to make a change for herself and for them.  It was in 2017 that she turned to The Redwood Family Center for support.

“Walking in those doors, I felt like it was a safe place,” she remembers.  “The staff were so welcoming and understanding, and they just made me feel comfortable.”  Throughout her recovery, she participated in the First Step Program, got involved in a church, and utilized services at Sierra Vista Child & Family Services.  “I learned how to be a Mom, how to have structure, how to make a routine, and just how to live a normal life.” She continuously leaned into the advice that Redwood staff consistently remind clients: don’t leave before the miracle happens.  With steadfast determination, she committed herself to trusting the healing process.

Beyond gaining stability, Evedena learned more about herself and discovered her interests and passions as well. She would have conversations with her counselor about her dream of becoming a substance abuse counselor. After moving through each step of recovery, a window of opportunity opened in the summer of 2021 as she accepted a position as a Youth Shelter Specialist at Center for Human Services.

“My heart was in it for the homeless community, and I knew that I was supposed to be at CHS. It’s a good company with good people. I prayed about it for months, and when the opportunity came up, I submitted my application.”

Today, Evedena is learning from her peers at CHS and working as a Welfare-To-Work Case Manager. “I’m really excited for this next step in my life. To help others stay sober is going to help me as well.” With newfound stability, Evedena is chasing the life she has always wanted for herself and for her family and looks forward to helping others reach these same milestones in their own lives.

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