Gabby, celebrating one year of sobriety in November, has restored relationships with her son and brother.

She hopes to inspire others to come to the Mission

Since Gabby’s grandparents and parents were both in their addiction during the majority of her childhood, Gabby was raised mostly by her great grandmother. “She would pick me up in the morning and I’d be with her all day long,” Gabby said. “She took me to ballet, tap, jazz, Girl Scouts. She put me into (Catholic school) and I went to church and chess club—she tried to make me the best person. I think she was trying to get me into everything possible so I wouldn’t turn out like my mom.”

Despite the structure and outside interests her great-grandma tried to provide, Gabby’s parents coming in and out of her life, and early exposure to drugs and alcohol growing up in the projects were powerful influences on her life. “I drank and smoked weed when I was 9 or 10,” she said. “I started using meth at 12 or 13—the first time I tried it was with my father after my eighth-grade graduation. I wanted to try it and gave my dad the money so he would get it for me.”

Gabby still graduated from high school despite “heavily struggling” with addiction. It’s what she was used to. “When my dad was home (from prison), they’d sell drugs,” Gabby said. “My parents ended up getting caught in a big drug ring and my dad went to prison. And then my mom went to jail for child endangerment.”

Gabby struggled to keep the house, especially after she had a child of her own. Her job at McDonalds wasn’t enough, so she started selling drugs at 18. Gabby was desperate, and eventually went to jail for home invasion, and later burglary charges. She had to give up her son; Gabby’s aunt has custody of him now.

Her drug use progressed once Gabby lost her son. She was introduced to heroin by a new boyfriend. “Heroin takes you to your knees. And when I started using fentanyl last year, I didn’t really know how bad it was. That is the devil. I realize now, I was trying to kill myself. I was pushing the limit. My mental stability started to go. I was depressed. I can honestly say, drugs just eat you up.”

Gabby will be sober for a year next month and arrived to the Mission in May. “I came here because someone else wanted me to come here, but I’m so grateful I did. I believe God put me here for a reason. I thank God every day for still being here and for what he gave me.”

Gabby has been mending her relationships with her brother and her son, now 14. “I want to show my son that you can fall down, but you can get back up,” she said. “I thank God for having a relationship with him. I know God is real because everything I’ve prayed for has happened.”

Gabby is looking forward to achieving her goals, which include going back to school to get her associates degree and completing the Life Recovery Program.

“This house, and all the people who fund this program are a blessing,” Gabby said. “I’ve never been to a program where the people who work there care about you. Here, they’ll tell me straight up what I need to hear. They are welcoming, and encouraging.

“In my addiction, I was staying in the riverbed, and at the railroad tracks. If people knew there were people out here that actually care about them and want to help them … You have to dig deep. If you pray for guidance, you can get yourself out.”

Gabby’s father, a heroin addict, is still living in his car. She saw him recently at one of the Mission’s outreaches. “To be able to give him shoes and clothes … I just told him, ‘I’m changing my life. I thank God every day for everything I have now.’ My dad started crying.”

Gabby’s father has officially submitted an application to enter the men’s program at RMA Central Coast.