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Out of jail for only a few hours, Eun was in the middle of her STEP intake process when she agreed to share her story. She said she hoped that by telling her story, maybe someone walking a similar path might see that change is possible.
Eun’s struggles began early. She started using drugs at just 13 years old. Her childhood was marked by her parents’ divorce, ongoing custody battles, and two single parents who were always busy. Eun found family among her friends and became the “party girl.” The problem was that the party never stopped.
In her early twenties, Eun’s mother passed away. Her grief was overwhelming, and her addiction spiraled as she tried to avoid the pain. Her father was largely absent, and the combination of grief, addiction, and an inattentive parent pushed her into a cycle she struggled to break.
In the years that followed, Eun was incarcerated multiple times and cycled through three different programs. She briefly joined a support group but left before she could truly settle into recovery. She started committing crimes, was repeatedly arrested and then bailed out, but never had the accountability or the support she needed to make a real change.
This time, though, feels different. Walking out of jail, Eun felt gratitude and hope. Much of that was a result of seeing April. April, a STEP team member and Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor, picked Eun up at the jail.
Eun and April met back in 2016, when they served time together. Eun remembered who April used to be when she was incarcerated, and now she saw who April had become - a steady, grounded, and sober professional who has dedicated her new life to helping others who are in the situation she once found herself. April’s transformation showed Eun that change is possible.
Eun shares that maybe one day she could follow a similar path as April, helping other women who have walked the same hard road of addiction and incarceration. Right now, though, she is hopeful, excited, happy, and deeply grateful to be out of custody and on a new path.
Caminar’s Supportive Transitional Empowerment Program - STEP
Our counselors focus on bringing services and support to individuals experiencing substance use issues in justice-involved settings in Santa Clara County. They collaborate with each client’s families and social systems to prepare the client for reentry into the community. The program provides every client picked up from jail with a phone, new undergarments and sweats, a backpack, a hygiene kit, and the tools and wraparound support needed to start again. Substance use treatment is available upon release. This seamless coordination of care empowers clients, builds resiliency, and promotes well-being.
