Allison has been helping women become clean and sober for the last six months. As a Female Treatment Assistant at Central City Concern, Alison can help women who are turning their lives around - just like she did.

First exposed to drugs as a young teenager, Alison was ,addicted to methamphetamines by the age of fourteen.  After multiple brushes with the law, in September, 2006, she lost her newborn son to foster care. Allison knew that something had to change, and Oregon was there for her.  Allison’s judge offered treatment, with the opportunity to be reunited with her son if she succeeded.  She chose recovery and her son. 

That’s when she began receiving Temporary Assistance For Needy Families (TANF).  With this vital support, Allison graduated treatment move with her son into their own apartment in an alcohol and drug-free community.  She enrolled into Steps to Success, a program supported by TANF.  Building her skills and experience, Allison interned full-time at a nationally operated rental car business, where she advanced through 4 promotions to become Assistant Manager. 

Allison turned her life around with TANF support.  She now works full time with the assistance of Employment Related Child Care, which helps to provide quality care for her four and a half year old son.  Allison has clearly taken full advantages of the opportunities given to her.  Now, she is giving back.  She never imagined so much success and pride for herself and her son.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families helped me transition to a new career while I recovered from injuries at my previous job.

After finishing heavy equipment school, I did physically grueling work. After three consecutive days throwing railroad ties, I was badly injured. The cartilage in my wrist was torn and I needed to get pins in it. I couldn’t even lift a bag of groceries. I also needed surgery on both knees. The doctors could only fix one knee at a time and the recovery time after each surgery was six months.

I couldn’t work while I was recovering from the surgeries. When I had nowhere else to turn, I found help through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. Albany DHS office staff were very helpful and supportive. They got to know me personally. My caseworker, Carol, challenged me to accomplish things I never thought I could, yet she also helped me develop clear, realistic expectations.

The Parents as Scholars program gave me a chance to go to college for Child and Family Studies so I could achieve my new goal, and I was proud when I got three As and a B my first term. After my first year at school, I was ready to leave the TANF program. I continued to work hard in my classes, got good grades, and I will finish my Associates Degree in the summer of 2011.