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Rolling Out the Purple Carpet for Recovery Month

by | Aug 30, 2024 | Blog

The determination of Amethyst Place families is unparalleled. This Recovery Month (September 2024), help us roll out the Purple Carpet to honor their unforgettable journeys as they rebuild their families’ lives. Their feats are achieved in spite of all odds. Reunifying their families, attending college, buying a home, becoming a leader in their community — they do it all! Some of their stories are highlighted below. In addition to reading along, you can also join us in person for the Growing Generations Graduation on September 28! Learn more and reserve your free tickets here.

Celebrating the Star Power of AP Families

Click a name below to read each inspirational story! We’ll add more throughout the month of September as we celebrate Recovery Month.

Amapola


A lot of people offer the shirt off their back as a figure of speech, but Amapola meant it literally. In this case, she offered her shoes. She works as a Certified Peer Specialist, walking alongside people trying to find recovery, just like she has. Read her touching story of selflessness and generosity below:

“I worked all day. I’m grateful for my job helping people in need. I just got home with no shoes. I am grateful that I am able to take the shirt off my back and give it to the person in need today. I took my shoes off and gave it to a person in need that really needed them because they just don’t have any. I am grateful to come to my home and have more options available. Simple sandals or house shoes are just fine. It’s not about the material items; it’s about putting a smile on that person that really needed it. I’m blessed to be here and blessed to bless that next person in need.”

– Amapola, Certified Peer Specialist and mom of four, including her late son, Carlos

2024 Honors:

✅ Started a new job

Bella and Malaya
Two of our AP youth, Bella and Malaya, were selected to represent Kansas City Youth Volunteer Corps at the 2024 Summit in Virginia Beach, VA! Youth who attend the Summit will be ambassadors for the Kansas City Affiliate, and this is a huge honor. Bella and Malaya dedicated their summer to YVC, completing team-based service opportunities around KC to benefit their community while gaining valuable job skills. They were able to fundraise the cost of their trip thanks to kind Amethyst Place donors and will attend in October.
Here’s why it means so much to Malaya: “I want to go to the Summit so I can have new experiences and meet new kids my age and learn about how they are helping the people in their communities. And maybe make some new friends.”
2024 Honors:

✅ Bella and Malaya completed the Youth Volunteer Corps summer program

✅ Bella and Malaya were selected as Kansas City Ambassadors for Youth Volunteer Corps Summit

✅ Bella served in a leadership role on the AP Youth Advisory Council

Esbeydi

“Good morning world. My legs hurt. My arms shake, but let’s keep pushing, fighting to live the American dream!!!”
– Esbeydi, IBEW Electrician Apprentice and mom of four

2024 Honors:

✅ Started a new job

✅ Purchased a car

✅ Became a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Union Local 124

✅ Served in a leadership role on Our Voice Residents’ Council

Patrice

“Yesterday was the start of fall semester for my college classes. I also worked both jobs yesterday then turned around and got off work this morning around 7:30am, picked up the kids, got them ready, dropped them off to school, then went to another class this morning. I took a nap and am right back at it again. TRUST ME WHEN I SAY THIS IS NOT EASY.”
– Patrice, Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), college student, and mom of four

2024 Honors:

✅ Started college

✅ Maintained same job for over a year

✅ Started a new job (2nd job)

✅ Graduated from Children’s Mercy TIES Program and PCIT Program

Justena
As the mom of a one-year-old, Keilani, Justena has her hands full! But that hasn’t stopped her from achieving her goals.
2024 Honors:
✅ Reunified with her child
✅ Graduated from the Children’s Mercy TIES Program
✅ Achieved 15 months in recovery
What keeps her going? She said: “Myself. I want a better life, and I know I can achieve it.”
Yes you can, Justena!
Whitney
Whitney has a lot to celebrate!
2024 Honors:
✅ Got a car
✅ Maintained the same job for more than a year
✅ Got a promotion
✅ Achieved 11 years in recovery
After all these wins, what is next for Whitney and her family? She says, “building my credit and becoming a homeowner.”
Based on her record of success, we’d say she’s got this! 🏠💪🏼
Mary
“I would like to thank my son, Larenzo. Thank you for always being supportive of my recovery and encouraging me to live my best life.”
– Mary, AP mom
Mary is living her best life, indeed!
2024 Honors:
✅ Graduated from Amethyst Place
✅ Maintained the same job for over a year
✅ Achieved over 2 years in recovery
After all these wins, what is next for Mary and her family? She says, “Go back to college.”
Kelsey

“I want to make a better life for my kids and me. I want to show my kids that life is worth living and working hard will pay off in the end. I deserve to be the person I want to be, and that has motivated me so much.”
– Kelsey, mom, college graduate, and Social Worker

Kelsey’s hard work has certainly paid off.

2024 Honors:

✅ Graduated with her bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Central Missouri
✅ Achieved 6 years in recovery

After all these wins, what is next for Kelsey and her family? She says, “I look forward to working in the mental health and substance use field, helping make change in the lives of people like me.”

Dalisha

👏🏾👏🏾 Let’s give it up for Dalisha! 👏🏾👏🏾

She’s only been at Amethyst Place one year, which seems hard to believe when reading through her accomplishments!

2024 Honors:

✅ Completed ReDiscover’s Treatment Program
✅ Completed Jackson County Family Treatment Court
✅ Reunified with her children
✅ Maintained the same job for more than a year
✅ Earned her Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) credential
✅ Achieved 2 years in recovery

She says: “My favorite memory at Amethyst Place is the day I came to sign my paperwork and Gina handed me my keys and I stuck them in my door. I feel so accomplished, but I know I have so much more to do. Amethyst Place has allowed me to set goals and complete them, and more importantly, Amethyst Place allows me to be the best version of myself.”

Amber

After moving out of Amethyst Place in 2020, Amber worked a full-time job while attending college. What kept her motivated?

She says: “To achieve a goal that I thought addiction had robbed me of. To prove to myself that I could, and I was worth it.”

This year, all her hard work paid off!

2024 Honors:

✅ Graduated from MCC-KC with her associate’s degree
✅ Achieved 6 years in recovery

After all these wins, what is next for Amber and her family? She says, “Lowering debt and getting ready to begin the process to hopefully buy a house.”

You’ve got this, Amber!