Hey everyone it’s me Symantha R. Dunn. I am a graduate of Ascend. I have one year sixty one day and twenty hours clean and sober as I write this.

Ascend has taught me how to do the right thing. I have done 3 prison terms, 1AB109 (prison in County Jail ) and numerous jail stays. I hung out with the wrong people, didn’t see a different path for my life. My daughter was going down the same path I was. 15 months ago she gave me my reason for change. My Granddaughter Rain. Keep in mind I only have 14 months clean. I went to jail in August 2014. Got out on home detention and was offered the Ascend Program. I took it.

I’m still on supervised probation, but am doing well. I was taught to be proactive. I do what I am supposed to, and go to probation before I am told. I got rid of all the anti social people in my life, kept the dual social people in my life with boundaries, and have a pro social network.

I was blessed with a second granddaughter Cali 3 months ago. Through the mindfulness that I was taught I have been allowed to truly see them grow.

I learned things about the law that keeps me from getting caught up in anyone’s drama. I have a future now. I know with the staff at Ascend I never walk alone. I have a personal relapse prevention therapist that I keep in close contact with. He is always willing to give me the time to keep me making the right decisions. There were never any expectations placed on me, only knowledge and opportunities given freely for me to grow with if I choose to, and I did.

My time in class was very special, I was given a family that didn’t use, go to jail, or put me down. I was never made to feel guilty or ashamed of who I was or what I had done. I was only supported that I could do or be better. There is a big push for higher education because that is how you grow, and a couple of years from now I plan on getting a college degree, only for me that isn’t what is important now.

Ascend gave me the opportunity to be a real grandmother. I’m not just here. I see and am able to care for my girls.

Ascend needs help. Any donation you can make will help them be able to help the next person.