Hope After Homelessness

Once homeless living on the street in a cardboard box, Ms. Rhodora A. was able reunite with her family and find home with help from the Asian American Drug Abuse Program and their Therapeutic Community Residential Facility.

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Securing a Safe & Happy Future
The Chinatown Service Center helped direct Ms. Dinh away from her abusive husband to the resources she needed to not only secure her own safety and happiness, but also that of her children and their future.

Improving Health & Wellness

With help from the Asian Pacific Healthcare Venture and their health education and self management programs, Mr. Wattana gained the knowledge to control his diabetes and look forward to a healthier life.

Empowering Domestic Violence Survivors

Ms. Garcia was able to create a better future for herself and her children after she found long-term transitional housing at the Asian Pacific Women's Center geared toward assisting and empowering domestic violence survivors.

Original Story Written by Iris Boyce, Former Therapeutic Community Counselor

Rhodora, better known as Dora, entered Asian American Drug Abuse Program's Therapeutic Community Residential Facility on August 6, 2007. Upon entering the T.C., Dora was homeless living on the street in a cardboard box. When she first entered AADAP's facility, Dora was withdrawn and scared. She arrived with no family or friends, and it was apparent that Dora was a very loving individual with a big heart, but carried a lot of guilt and shame. At one time, she did not feel she was worthy of being loved by anyone and felt embarrassed to even reach out to the outside world. Her English was limited, but she never gave up trying to share in groups and she never allowed her limitation of vocabulary to interfere with getting to know those with whom she lived. Intent on completing her criteria, Dora would utilize a dictionary to learn how to write words and express her feelings. Dora was a hard worker and always stepped in to help whenever she saw a task that needed to be finished.

Through AADAP's residential treatment Therapeutic Community (TC) program, Dora gained the opportunity to practice and "live" a new and different lifestyle from the one she had been accustomed to living. She learned to work and interact with other clients, received counseling and supportive care, and participated in awareness building. After two years of being in treatment, Dora was encouraged to reach out to her children, who reside in Los Angeles and even write a letter to her homeland of the Philippines. Taking on this major task, Dora was received with open arms and loving hearts. When Dora's daughter received her letter, she immediately called the facility to speak with her mother. The reunion between Dora and her Daughter was priceless and precious. Her daughter expressed how she had been searching for her mother and refused to give up. When they both met, Dora had concerns about how she appeared to her daughter. Her daughter eased her thoughts and told her that she was beautiful. Their tears of joy were long overdue.

With the persistent help and guidance of her Counselor, Ieti Lea'ea, today, Dora has all her dental work done and has improved her English skills tremendously.  She, along with her children, continues to maintain their loving relationship. Dora has also been able to communicate with her youngest daughter, who was adopted.  Everything that she feared has turned into something that has made her proud. Dora currently takes classes at Trade Tech, where she is learning more English and other work related skills. She is currently in the 3rd phase of our program and is looking forward to residing with her daughter upon departure from the T.C.

For those who think treatment does not work, Dora is a testimony that it does work if you commit and apply what you learn. AADAP is extremely proud of Dora and knows that she will succeed in whatever endeavors she chooses. She will leave the T.C. a motivated and determined woman with great opportunities ahead of her. Way to go, Ms. Rhodora!

For more information on Asian American Drug Abuse Program, visit www.aadapinc.org or call (323) 293-6284.