Christine and Billy Thomas share an office in the I Can’t We Can headquarters. Christine is an administrative assistant and Billy is the newly hired Public Relations Director. Christine, a mother of five, has been with ICWC for two years now after entering court stipulated treatment programs in the past.

Q: Was ICWC your first treatment program?

I was in other programs before- but that was treating the symptom, not the problem. Once clean, there were no referral sources for support- housing, jobs- most of us have no support from our families because we were addicts.

“I’m not looking for a hand out, but an opportunity...”

Q: Where did your children go while you were in treatment?

My aunt took in my children

Q: What are your goals at this point?

I am going to my second semester of college- only because I see some hope in the system. If I want to be part of the system, I need to educate myself. My children, seeing me now going to school and working, they are less likely to follow in my footsteps. I’m not looking for a hand out, but an opportunity to get started. Some hope.