Lolita's Story

Lolita struggled with an addiction for thirty years. She lived with her mother and had different jobs, but only kept them for short periods of time because of her drug use. When her mother died, she hit rock bottom. Without her support system and a place of her own to live, Lolita recognized that she could not continue living the way she had been. She needed a place that provided time and structure so that she could overcome her addictions.

That’s when she found N Street Village.

Lolita became a regular at Bethany Women’s Center and participated in a variety of activities including art, dance, exercise, jewelry making, and autobiography. When she was admitted to the Recovery Housing program, she devoted herself fully to her recovery. She joined the Ambassadors of Praise gospel choir, and was part of the cast for “My Soul Look Back in Wonder: Life Stories from Women in Recovery,” an original piece about addiction and recovery produced by Theatre Lab. In December 2013, Lolita had the privilege of serving as choir leader at Luther Place Memorial Church’s Homeless Memorial Service.

Since coming to N Street Village, Lolita has let go of her self-described “bad attitude”, developed her self-confidence, and learned how to better accept change. She has also drawn strength from the other women in the recovery program who have shared similar experiences.

Lolita graduated into the next level of the Recovery Housing program and is employed part-time at a restaurant in the Adams-Morgan neighborhood. Today she is committed to her recovery and well on her way to a better life.