ALUMNI

Pat

As I think back over the years, what comes to me about my experience at RAP overall is that RAP became my family.  I entered the program on July 13, 1970.  I was 32 years old.  I think I was the oldest client and I believe I was the first client through the door.

A friend told me that I should try this program just starting up in Washington, D. C.  I had already been in several treatment programs and actually had just relapsed after leaving treatment at Gaudenzia House in Philadelphia. When my friend told me that I could bring my 2-year-old son into the program with me, I was sold; otherwise I would have had to place him in foster care since I had no family to leave him with.

Within 4 hours of being told about RAP, I was at the front door of the program—1904 T Street, N. W.  The building is no longer there, but that was our first location.  My most vivid memory about that building is that we did not have a kitchen sink. We washed dishes in the shower. 

RAP allowed me to express my anger and grief over the death of my mother and my finance dying in a car accident soon thereafter. 
No matter how foul my mood or my mouth, I was always treated with respect in RAP and was given unconditional love. 

I was in treatment at RAP for two years.  When I left, I went on to hold other jobs starting with the IRS.  I became an entrepreneur running my own secretarial service and then worked 8 years with a law firm.  I attribute the ability to achieve gainful employment to the confidence that I gained in myself during my experience at RAP.  Up to that point I never thought I could hold a legitimate job.

I came back to work at RAP in 1989. I am now the Human Resources and Intake Manager.  It’s not so much a job for me now; it feels more like a mission.  I feel as if I have something to give someone every day.  This is God’s work and I am only doing God’s will.

Now is the best part of my life.  I am blessed with having relatively good health and a healthy mind; I bought a home six years ago; and my son is doing well with his own business.  I also have a daughter who came to RAP in 1973 while she was a senior in high school. She did not have a drug problem but character disorder issues.  She was allowed to graduate with her class after leaving RAP and is also doing very well today.  Overall, the RAP experience has been a real family affair.

I am so grateful for RAP.  And what I’d say to anyone who is facing despair is what I’ve learned:  “Yesterday is history and tomorrow is a mystery”; “Dare to struggle – dare to win!”

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