R.A.G.E.

Octavia says:

My Mother brought 6l54 S Throop around 1962 l was around 5 or 6 yrs. old. In 2005 l brought and rehab the house l grew up in. My Mother was very proud l had got the house back and made it a place to help women who otherwise would be homeless, suffered from mental illness, domestic violence, incarcerated, drugs and alcohol..The name of the 501(C)3non-profited organization is Change Your Life Ministries/Sober Living Environment we receive no funding from the state besides donations and fund raising that’s how we have existed. CYLM had our last Spirituality Gathering for 2022 on 12/17/22 and the Alumni ladies came back starting from 16 yrs down to one year to say Thank you and how the house was a blessing and a Safe Haven that allowed them to become productive citizens in society. I cried when l looked back and realized how the purpose vision and mission was accomplished. We have many success stories. I am so grateful that my Mother got a chance before she gained her wings in 9/ 2008 to visit and see some of the events held for Change Your Life Ministries/Sober Living Environment. We are still here to help others reunited with their families and to move forward in life. The ladies gave the house 🏠 a name the “last house on the block” lol because we are the middle of vacant lots on both sides. I have been maintaining these lots for over decades now.. the city owns them and I would buy them but it would cost me to much to cut down all those 🌳 trees l can’t afford it. Now is a good time to cut the trees because no leaves and you could see what you’re doing. The trees have fell on my roof several times l had to get it repaired and has caused my homeowners insurance to increase. It’s a forest when the spring begins harboring squirrels raccoons rats and waste from people dumping tires wood etc. in the lots. A few years ago a body was founded in the back. I have to pay someone to take the garbage out because you can’t see back there and we have been approached by strangers it’s very dangerous. I keep the surrounding areas clean to the best of my ability. I am older now and it’s becoming more difficult each year. As a product of Englewood l reside here because l love helping people. I am a Certified Alcohol Drug Counselor Mental Illness and Certified National Recovery Specialist by the State of Illinois a graduate of Daley College Chicago State University and Spertus College. My only child and daughter is also a product of Englewood is a Educator for the Chicago Public School System and Director of Driver Education. I came back to the block where l was raised in 2005 cleaned up the block letting the younger guys know they can no longer sell drugs or have any illegal activities going on it was a struggle eventually they realized l wasn’t going anywhere so the gangs left me and the house alone. My mother said pass this on to your daughter and to her granddaughter My grandmother lived at 6202 S Throop St. It’s a vacant lot now that’s where we moved from when my Dad died and my mother brought this house 🏠 and raised seven children here. Five generations of Women raised in Englewood. l can the lots being utilized to see outside movie nights, growing a garden like my Mom had, having flowers, green plants, extending the patio for outside meetings, having events for the community to help encourage the growth of the next current residents and next generations. Change Your Life Sober Living Environment really needs help to survive for 2023 from all resources something we never got. When you look out the window and see a fresh clean surrounding area or can sit in the backyard with flowers 💐 plants a garden you feel better especially if you’re trying to CHANGE YOUR LIFE l hope someone reads this and help get to the solution. You’re welcome to come over and see what we actually do.. I would appreciate if someone could let me know they read my post even if no response for a solution Thank you Ms.Octavia Rivers MA,CADC,MISA,NCRS 773 931 5837