Sponsored Homes | Tim & George

When Carla first began working with her Peer Recovery Specialist at The Up Center, she was struggling to find her footing. Mental health challenges had left her feeling disconnected from the world around her, unsure how to navigate daily life or rebuild the relationships she had lost along the way.

Through twice-weekly peer support, Carla found what she needed most—consistency, compassion, and encouragement. With her specialist’s guidance, she began setting small, achievable goals that gradually helped her reintegrate into her community. Over time, she started reconnecting with friends, enjoying weekly outings, and rediscovering the simple joy of spending time with others.

Carla also learned how to advocate for herself in powerful new ways. She began communicating confidently with her healthcare providers, the housing authority, and Social Security—taking charge of her life and her future.

Alongside her peer support, Carla has been using tools from SMART Recovery, including life balance exercises, cost/benefit analysis, and hierarchy of values, to help her gain deeper insight into her thoughts and choices. These skills have given her a strong foundation to manage her recovery and maintain stability.

Today, Carla is thriving. Her journey is proof that when someone believes in you—and gives you the tools to believe in yourself—recovery and reconnection are truly possible.

For Derrick, freedom used to be something he could only imagine. After spending a third of his life incarcerated, he entered The Up Center’s Peer Recovery program with a determination to make this new chapter different. He wanted stability, self-respect, and a life free from the cycles that had held him back for so long.

Over the past year, Derrick has proven that real change is possible. He has stayed consistent with both his peer recovery and therapy sessions, showing up with honesty and commitment. He completed his Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) and began using SMART Recovery tools to strengthen his emotional sobriety and rebuild his sense of purpose.

Through hard work and support, Derrick has remained substance-free for the past seven months. He continues to maintain steady employment, a powerful sign of his discipline and focus.

For the first time in years, Derrick feels free—not just from incarceration or addiction, but from the weight of his past. His story is a testament to resilience, accountability, and the power of second chances. With compassion and structure, The Up Center’s Peer Recovery program is helping him—and so many others—build a future defined not by where they’ve been, but by where they’re going.

When Maria returned from rehabilitation, she knew that coming home would be one of the hardest parts of her recovery journey. Staying consistent, rebuilding structure, and learning how to manage her daily life again felt overwhelming. But this time, she had support. The Up Center’s Peer Recovery Services team was ready to walk beside her every step of the way.

Within just three weeks of returning home, Maria’s progress has been extraordinary. She began attending 12-step meetings, found a sponsor, and enrolled in mental health skill-building to strengthen her coping strategies. She secured housing, received SNAP benefits to help with groceries, and began creating her Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP)—a personalized guide to maintaining her stability and well-being.

Maria shows up for her recovery every single day, working hard to build a healthy, balanced life. Her willingness to stay engaged, accept help, and put in the work reflects the strength that recovery requires—and the hope that grows when the right support is in place.

Maria’s story is one of courage and persistence. With guidance from The Up Center’s Peer Recovery program, she is learning that healing happens through small, steady steps—and that every day is a new chance to choose herself and the life she deserves.

When Robert first came to The Up Center in December 2023, he was at one of the lowest points in his life. He was homeless, struggling with serious health issues, and caught in the grip of alcohol, marijuana, and crack cocaine use. Despite his challenges, there was one thing he still held onto—hope.

Robert had known one of The Up Center’s Peer Recovery Specialists for years through informal community connections. This time, he was ready to take that relationship further and begin a true recovery journey. The start was not easy. He struggled to maintain sobriety and found himself unable to meet the goals he had set. But with the encouragement and guidance of his Peer Recovery Specialist, Robert made the brave decision to seek inpatient care, recognizing that he needed a higher level of support to truly heal.

He spent several months in treatment, doing the difficult work of rebuilding his life from the inside out. When he was discharged, he returned to The Up Center immediately—ready to stay connected, accountable, and focused.

Today, Robert is just days away from celebrating nine months of sobriety. He has completed his Wellness Recovery Action Plan, attends 12-step meetings regularly, and stays consistent with his therapy, medical, and psychiatric appointments. He checks in daily with his Peer Recovery Specialist, who continues to walk beside him as he maintains stability and confidence.

Perhaps the most transformative milestone of all—Robert now has a place to call home. After years of instability, he is housed, healthy, and hopeful. His story is a powerful example of what recovery looks like when compassion, persistence, and community come together to create lasting change.

When Jerome first connected with The Up Center’s Peer Services team in the fall, he was ready to make a change. After years of struggling with substance use, he had already begun taking steps toward recovery—but he knew that sustaining it would take commitment, support, and connection.

With the help of his Peer Recovery Specialist, Jerome built a strong foundation for his new life. He stayed consistent with his meetings, joined a 12-step fellowship, and even began doing service work to give back to others walking the same path. His willingness to show up—for himself and for his recovery community—became one of his greatest strengths.

In November, Jerrome celebrated an incredible milestone: one full year of sobriety. What once seemed impossible had become his reality. Today, he remains deeply engaged in his recovery, keeping up with medical appointments, advocating for his own health, and staying open to exploring different pathways to healing with the continued guidance of his peer support team.

Jerome’s story is a powerful reminder that recovery is not just about stopping substance use—it’s about rediscovering purpose, community, and self-worth. With the right support and determination, every day becomes another chance to choose hope.