Perhaps the most divisive and pervasive problem facing clients of the center is drug abuse. When the single parent is on drugs, it's like they're absent. There's no one to encourage the children, to provide support for them. The center now has anti-drug programs geared toward children and counseling programs for those trying to control their addictions. Barlow says that she has seen many successes come out of the adult addiction meetings.
People are so happy to have a new life and new relationships with their kids.
They are determined to give back to the community everything they can. Barlow notes that some people in the program cook meals for others and provide extra assistance for new recovering addicts. The Center hopes to address children's health issues and work more with whole families in the future. But, Barlow says, the Center already has had to cut back on the number of clients it takes because of funding problems. The University's United Way campaign runs through October.