The therapeutic value of one addict helping...

Mentor Moms

A trio of Nevada women -- all formerly addicted to alcohol or other drugs and dubbed the "Mentor Moms" -- are working to counsel other women with addictions, the Reno Gazette-Journal reported April 9.

The mentors, sponsored by the Sparks, Nev.-based nonprofit Tru Vista, work with women who are in danger of losing custody of their children because of their drug use. About a dozen women have already received help from the mentors.

The Mentor Moms attend probable-cause hearings in family court to encourage women to work through the local drug court and get addiction treatment. Many of the women being charged with child abuse and neglect are addicted to methamphetamine.

"People don't understand when they use and abuse drugs and alcohol, they are hurting themselves and majorly hurting their children," said Mentor Mom Tina Olvera, herself a mother of four. "Children are innocent and it's not fair to be born into that lifestyle. I fought to get my kids back. But I knew I needed to change. My biggest obstacle was taking that first step forward."

"You see someone who has done it, and you think, 'Ah, there is light at the end of the tunnel. I can get my kids back. They aren't lost forever,'" added Mentor Mom Sheena Wolfe, a recovering alcoholic.

source: Join Together

Pictured top right: Liz Donahoe is the Mentor Moms program supervisor who assists women addicted to drugs and alcohol get their lives back in order.