Felisa's story

When Felisa first came to Friendship House, she was immediately struck by the idea that it seemed like a real home, a safe place for her to get back on her feet. She says, “I got to meet a lot of people going through the same thing I was, so I didn’t feel so alone.”

Felisa was homeless because of her struggles with drug addiction. She had tried treatment, but was unsuccessful the first time. “I’m not a stupid person,” she thought. “How did I get myself in this place?”

But being at Friendship House was different. Felisa says that Friendship House was the first place that treated her like a real person. She enjoyed the camaraderie, but also benefited from the daily schedule of chores, meals, and job searches. She quickly showed an aptitude for leadership, and was asked to be a House Assistant, a role with lots of responsibility. She found it amazing that Brenda, the Women’s House Manager, believed she could do it. “No one had trusted me in a long time,” she says. “Brenda did.”

Since arriving, Felisa has been clean and sober and has started taking classes at Skagit Valley College. It’s been 25 years since she’s had any schooling, but she is excelling in her courses. Felisa moved into our transitional housing program several weeks ago and is poised for success. The staff is proud of her initiative to return to school and is thankful for all her hard work at Friendship House.