Jennifer and her boys enjoying their new apartment

Growing up, Jennifer's step-father was a cruel alcoholic who physically abused Jennifer and her mother. To escape the shouting and the bruises, Jennifer and her mother often fled to Tulsa's homeless shelters. Unfortunately, Jennifer went on to endure years of abusive relationships, addiction and homelessness. But today, Jennifer is finally the mother she always wanted to be.

Some four years ago, Jennifer ended up homeless and addicted to crack cocaine, methamphetamine and pain killers after her boyfriend beat her up and kicked her out of the house. At the time, Jennifer was a mother of a 7-year-old daughter, Sierra; a 1-year-old son, Isaac, and 3-week-old twin boys, Joshua and Jacob. Soon after, Jennifer lost custody of her four children and fell into darkness. When her money ran out, Jennifer lived on the streets or in "crack houses" for several months. Then she became pregnant with her fifth child, Cortney, who is now 3 years old.

In late 2008, Jennifer was arrested on drug charges and child neglect. Rather than go to prison, Jennifer was one of the first participants in the Women in Recovery (WIR) program. The WIR program is an alternative to incarceration program for women facing significant prison sentences in Tulsa County, Oklahoma. The Mental Health Association in Tulsa (the Association) began partnering with the WIR program in 2009.

"Women in Recovery helped build my life back up," Jennifer said. "It helped me fight to get my kids back in my custody. I used to be the kind of person who let people walk all over me and my kids, and the program helped me with assertive communication skills. Today it's just me and my kids, and I'm not going to let anyone mess up our lives."

Jennifer and her five children, who are ages 3 to 12, have lived in the Association's Sheridan Point Apartments for about six months now. Jennifer is a market-rate payer, as opposed to the eight Sheridan Point residents in the Association's long-term supportive housing program. The long-term supportive housing program receives HUD funds in order to subsidize rent for individuals who are formerly homeless and have a disability.

"I love Sheridan Point because I have a quality two-bedroom apartment that I can afford," Jennifer glowed. "It's a quiet place where the neighbors are really nice to everyone, and it's a safe place for the kids to go outside and ride their bikes."

By living in a safe, decent and affordable apartment, Jennifer could afford to buy her children new clothes, shoes and supplies for their first days of school. Getting a good education is important to Jennifer, who has a learning disability but aspires to go to college to become a social worker.

Before Jennifer can change the lives of others, she first had to change her own.

The Association's nationally recognized housing and recovery programs will be featured as a part of the 2012 National Zarrow Mental Health Symposium and Mental Health America Annual Conference, "From Housing to Recovery" slated for September 19-21, 2012 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Conference speakers from 20 states, including D.C., will share their innovative ideas and practical tools to assist with facilitating homeless prevention/intervention, housing development, clinical practice, recovery services and wraparound supports. Senior Advisor to Secretary Shaun Donovan, Estelle Richman, will speak during the opening plenary and offer a national perspective on "Building communities, Building Lives."

To learn more about the conference, please visit online or email. Learn more about HUD's Supportive Housing program.