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By MELINDA SACKS / Special
to the Mercury News
when Jennifer
Emery was pulled over for driving under the influence, she was seven
months pregnant and addicted to methamphetamines.
Still, she says she didn't think she needed a residential treatment
program, she remembers, shaking her head with disbelief.
Thankfully, the court and the counselors thought better.
Referred for treatment by the judicial system, Emery went to live
at Parisi House on the Hill. Because it's the only addiction center
in Santa Clara County where mothers receiving treatment can stay
united with their children, Emery was able to be a mom to her new
daughter while getting help for herself.
Now, two years after her arrest, Emery is proud to have been clean
and sober for 14 months. She credits the unique substance-abuse
help she got.
"House on the Hill gave me my life back,'' says Emery, 37. Now,
as an expanded House on the Hill prepares to open, Wish Book donations
would help get things ready.
"We see miracles every day,'' says Debbie Miranda, program director
for Parisi House. "I believe until this program came into existence,
there were a lot of addicted mothers out there who simply chose
to stay with their children, regardless of the environment -- no
matter how destructive it was. With House on the Hill, they don't
have to do that.''
There is always a waiting list to get into House on the Hill, which
offers not only counseling for drug and alcohol addiction but training
on how to be a better parent. Mothers spend their time in groups
and classes, while their children, all under the age of 5, attend
day care at the same location.
Emery, who grew up in Los Gatos, says she had been using drugs
off and on since she was 18.
"House on the Hill has done a lot for me, from helping me build
a foundation for recovery to introducing me to AA (Alcoholics Anonymous),''
she says. "I didn't know anything about how to do it on my own.''
Even though she has completed both the inpatient and outpatient
programs, Emery continues to enjoy the support of the Parisi staff.
She hopes to go back to school and become a counselor to help others
addicted to drugs or alcohol.
The Nicki and Joe Parisi House, opened in 1994 and named after
its primary donors, up to now has had a capacity of serving 16 women
and their children at a time in its south San Jose quarters. But
early next year -- funded by major gifts from the Parisis, the Sobrato
Foundation and the Valley Medical Center Foundation -- a new facility
for up to 60 mothers and 65 children will open its doors with vastly
expanded services.
But there's lots to do before the new center welcomes its first
residents. There are bookshelves to stock ($15
each book). The play areas need toys ($15
each) and games ($20
each). And the staff would love to have the means to frame some
of the inspirational artwork created by its residents (each donation
of $25 would go toward a framing fund).
For Emery, gift cards ($25
each) would allow her to purchase a toddler bed and bedding
for her daughter and a few educational toys.
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