I am Women’s Bean Project: Maggie

Hello!  My name is Maggie.  I am a mother of two, a widow, and a recovering addict.

My first involvement with drugs came when I was 18 years old.  I just wanted to try them.  I also became involved with a much older man, causing tension between my Mom and me.   At 19, I became pregnant and immediately stopped the drug use; however, I started back up once my son was born.  I continued my addiction through my second pregnancy resulting in a difficult birth and life-threatening situation for me.  During this time, I was given oxycodone, which became my new addiction.

My now husband and I continued using and selling drugs until we were arrested in 2016.  My Mom took custody of our children while we were both incarcerated.  My husband died while in prison.  This was a very difficult time, but it forced me to look at my life.  While I was incarcerated, I was able to get clean which allowed me to see the world through sober eyes.

When I was released from prison, I was homeless, still new in my recovery, and I needed a job.  I wanted to start to change my life and I felt this was a program I could benefit from.

My life is different today because The Bean Project helped me with my self-esteem, my self-confidence, my courage.  I’ve learned how to budget my money, how to set goals for myself, and have gained many job skills, like teamwork, learning sop’s, how to use the new semi-automated machinery, and productions line procedures.

I now see a future for myself and my boys and what that future looks like.  I would like to mentor teens.  I want to continue my education and obtain a meaningful job.  I’m rebuilding my relationship with my boys, my brother, and my parents.  I hope to regain custody of my children once I am released from my sober living house.