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From the Streets to Stability: A Young Mother’s Recovery Journey
Thursday, May 8, 2025Since the age of 18, Phedra struggled with addiction and cycled in and out of rehab. In her early twenties, she became addicted to fentanyl and meth, eventually living on the streets of downtown Portland. One day, a firefighter approached her tent and said, “You’re too young to be out here.” That moment set in motion a new path for Phedra.
A Life-Changing Choice
Shortly after she found shelter through the Joint Office of Homeless Services, Phedra learned she was pregnant. Faced with a life-altering decision to give her baby up for adoption or get sober, she chose recovery. That’s when Project Nurture entered her life. The program, a collaboration between several Oregon health and social service agencies, offers prenatal care and substance use treatment for pregnant individuals. Through medication-assisted treatment (MAT), Phedra found a way to detox safely while pregnant. “When I was going through withdrawals with him in my belly, he would start kicking me. I could feel him going through it, and I remember holding onto my belly and crying. I didn’t want him to suffer, so I was so grateful I got the treatment I needed.”
A Mother’s Determination
When she gave birth to her son, Julian, Phedra was still actively using—but he arrived healthy. To keep Julian by her side, she had to act fast. “DHS came to the hospital right after I gave birth. I was not leaving that baby. The only way I could keep him was by going straight into treatment.”
She entered Letty Owings Center (LOC), a residential program that allows women to live with their children while undergoing treatment for substance use disorders. Since 1989, LOC has helped mothers recover in a safe and supportive community. Women stay an average of six months and participate in a structured recovery program that includes individual and group counseling, life skills training, art therapy, and communal responsibilities. Each woman is paired with a case manager who helps them navigate medical care, court appointments, and support services.
LOC Director Tina Bialas says, “Every mom who walks through our door has a different story, but most had little or no healthy mothering as they were growing up and have struggled with childhood trauma. What they all have in common is that they love their children. Here, they learn how to reparent themselves, and become a healthy mom to their child.”
“I’ve learned how to be a mom and to cope with triggers and cravings in healthy ways […] I don’t know if I could have gotten through treatment without Letty. I had people to ask questions to. I wasn’t alone. And if times were tough for me, I could go knock on someone’s door or go downstairs and talk to my counselor.” – Phedra
Building a New Future
After completing the program, Phedra moved into a studio apartment at Laura’s Place, transitional housing for women who graduate from LOC. There, she continues to receive case management and attends weekly group sessions that build community and reinforce recovery.
She is also working with CCC to secure long-term housing through the Family Unification Program (FUP), which allows her to pay only 30% of her rent. She plans to become a Certified Recovery Mentor to help others facing similar struggles. “It’s hard getting sober young. I want to help other young moms in recovery and let them know they’re not alone—and that sobriety is possible.”
Phedra is set to begin a six-month training program with Central City Staffing, which provides resume assistance and on-call employment opportunities to help participants reenter the workforce. Phedra notes, “When I was homeless, I saw CCC everywhere. And now I’m a part of CCC.”
Reflecting on her journey, Phedra credits her son for her transformation. “I don’t think I could have done any of this without Julian. When I’m sad, I look at him. He’s the reason I’m doing all of this. I’ve learned to love myself again and I get to be the parent I always wished I had.”
Phedra’s story is a powerful reminder that recovery is possible—and that support, compassion, and community can help people rewrite their stories.
This Mother’s Day, make a difference for moms in recovery by donating to CCC in support of programs like Letty Owings Center.
