Written by Luis Zamora, Graduate of Parenting Journey for Fathers (2015) and Parenting Journey II (2015)
September is National Recovery Month. I’m proud to say that as of August 7th, 2017, I’m three years clean and sober. Addiction doesn’t have a demographic, it’s universal. Whether you struggle with addiction yourself, or know someone who does, it hits everyone. And that’s why Parenting Journey programs are so important, because they are universal too.
Luis Zamora with his daughter and other family members.
As a recovering addict, every day is a struggle, but every day gets easier and easier. I’m the father of two beautiful girls: Lana, age ten, and Layla, age four. I share custody of Lana, and Layla lives with me full-time. My daughters have always been my biggest inspiration. But it has not always been the easiest thing to stay clean and sober.
I started smoking and drinking at a very early age, and that escalated into bigger and more powerful substances. Heroin was my drug of choice which lead me to lose everything. I hit rock bottom and went to jail. The Department of Children and Family Services (DCF) took my 14-month old daughter straight out of my hands. That was the first night I did not spend with her since she was born. It was a long road to get her back, but it saved my life and my daughter’s life too.
DCF mandated that I take parenting classes, and I picked Parenting Journey because of the staff, the location, and free childcare. Finding out that I could join a father’s group for free at a time when I had no income and bring my daughter with me to a safe environment was huge for my recovery. It was a safe-haven where I could open-up.
When I started Parenting Journey for Fathers, we talked a lot about honesty and telling the whole story, and I’m using that with my kids now. I tell my girls that they can tell me anything. I feel like I’m building a foundation of honesty, trust, and respect with my daughters, so that when they really need me in their teenage years, they’ll know they can come to me. Parenting Journey helped me practice that. The group meetings gave me the strength I needed to stay clean, just for another day, so I could be there for my girls.
My recovery has made me want to do exactly what the staff at Parenting Journey do. I am going back to school to pursue a career in social services. I would love to work with young adults and youth who are involved with substance use. The earlier I can reach people, the more lives I can save.
I’d like to thank you, all the people who are connected to Parenting Journey. Without you, I would never be where I am today, pursuing a new career in helping other people. At Parenting Journey, I got a whole new supportive family and to me that is priceless.
We are part of a larger community. Please consider donating to Parenting Journey, so that more parents like me can build a strong foundation for their family.
Sincerely,
Luis Zamora
Graduate of Parenting Journey for Fathers (2015) and Parenting Journey II (2015)
Seeking resources about recovery?
1-800-662-HELP (4357)
TTY: 1-800-487-4889
Website: www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
Also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service, this Helpline provides 24-hour free and confidential treatment referral and information about mental and/or substance use disorders, prevention, and recovery in English and Spanish.
‘Perate, is this *my* Luis Zamora? The one from my honors class back in high school? I remember the high fives when you made honor role. You have no idea the happiness it brings me to read your story. Know that we would love to see you and I’m sure we can create space for you to tell your story here. You’ve always had that shining light in you.
Congratulations on your sobriety. It is a beautiful thing when the depth of your pain transforms into the depth of your compassion. You have changed pain and anguish into strength and hope.
We are all very proud of you and everything you have accomplished through your journey. You are lucky to have an amazing family that supports you and are behind you 100%. We have witnessed your struggles and we are so happy that you come through every time. You now know everything you have to do to keep in the right path and focus on for those girls to keep looking up to you. They love you to the moon and back and they are very proud of the great father that you have become.
We know is not easy but every day that goes by, you know that we are here for you. Your family and your good friends have your back.
We love you,
Your family,… too many to mention worldwide.
You’re awesome! I love this. As a fellow addict I’m grateful to witness your vulnerability and change for your family and future.
Yours. Always.
Hello Luis! It is great to hear Parenting Journey has been a key factor to stay in the right path and be a better and stronger father for your kids. I do work for an organization that offer similar programs as Parenting Journey and I actually would be taking one of the training for trainers that Parenting Journey would be offering in June 2018 to bring it to the community I work with, so it is very good to hear that impact that the program had in you and your family. Congratulations on your Sobriety, I am sure your kids are happy and proud of you!!