Dancing into a New Life: Melissa’s Story
Originally from Connecticut, Melissa grew up with a talent and a passion for the art of dance. It’s hard for her to recall a time in her life when she wasn’t dancing. At the age of three, she took up
dance, and her parents quickly noticed she had something special.
Later in life, Melissa attended a private performing arts middle school and high school, and then eventually the pinnacle of accomplishments—Juilliard. After two years at the prestigious performing arts school, Melissa left for an opportunity to lead a dance company in Indianapolis. Little did she know her life—which by all accounts was going quite well—would take a devastating turn for the worse.
Throughout the next 15 years, Melissa struggled with alcohol and drugs. She attempted to get sober many times on her own, and while she had success eliminated alcohol for several years, she never had the tools offered from a program of recovery. In 2013, following significant life changes, including becoming a new mom, struggling with depression, and a dance injury that required prescription medications, Melissa began to feel powerless over her addiction.
In July of 2020, Melissa hit rock bottom. She was sleeping in her car in a Walmart parking lot, hadn’t eaten in days, and felt like she was knocking on death’s door. Thankfully one day, a car pulled up next to her, and she gathered the energy to ask them for help. The mystery guardian angel called 9-1-1, and Melissa took an ambulance ride to the hospital. This moment would turn out to be the first day of her new life.
After she was stabilized, Melissa went to an inpatient treatment program. She had heard about Dove House for many years, and she knew she wanted to stay somewhere like Dove House for long-term care. During her ten-week stay at the other treatment facility, she applied to get on the Dove House waitlist, and when she was discharged she went directly to Dove House and was admitted.
Although she admits the first 30 days were difficult, she chose to do whatever was asked of her since it ultimately meant putting her sobriety first.
“If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always got,” said Melissa.
She has made that saying her mantra over the last seven months, and it has served her well. Today, Melissa has been sober for ten months. She is rebuilding her relationship with her daughter, and she just started a new job as a ballroom dance instructor! Melissa credits the services, caring staff, and sisterhood with other clients at Dove House to her newfound life in recovery.
“It’s truly an all-inclusive on-site treatment and recovery center,” said Melissa. “It’s the only place you can go to get case management, individual therapy, group therapy, IOP, and aftercare in one place.”
According to Melissa, Dove House meets each client where she is. “It is personalized care catered to your unique set of circumstances.”
In addition to the all-inclusive, personalized care, Melissa notes that because she did not have to worry about the financial burden of treatment or housing throughout her time at Dove House, she has been able to solely focus on the most important thing—her recovery.
Dove House provides programs, services, and housing at no cost to its residents. Some clients stay at Dove House for one year or longer. Support for one client for one year costs ~$15,000. This funding is covered entirely through grants and donor support.
Please support women like Melissa through our Fund a Dove Campaign this month. Giving is easy. Visit our Fund a Dove Campaign webpage to learn more and donate today.
