“I had been drug so much through the gutter that I was just tired. I was tired of hurting,” claimed Shabibi as she thought back to what led her to knock on the door at Queen of Peace Center so many years ago. She knew she needed a change and couldn’t keep living the life she once led – one with abuse, trauma, and homelessness impacting her every move.

By placing her trust in  Queen of Peace Center (QOPC), and its employees, she has grown to become grateful for her hardships. Shabibi had not had a healthy relationship with men before, until she met a therapist at QOPC that changed her life with Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. “In EMDR, it taught me to accept what I had been through and accept it not because this life is about me. Accept it because I was created so that I could help other people,” says Shabibi.

One of the most life-changing programs for her was the peer support specialist program, which allowed her to work with staff members in long-term recovery. These experiences fueled her desire to become the kind of person who would give back in the same way, so she charged full strength ahead in pursuit of her dream. She utilized all of the services, resources, and guidance available to her at QOPC.

“This program gave me life skills that go beyond the walls of recovery,” Shabibi says with gratitude. “I wouldn’t have been able to see having a child substance-free. I wouldn’t have been able to see living through a challenging pregnancy. I wouldn’t be able to see what it’s like to live in an apartment, keep my own house clean – I wouldn’t know that without this program.”

Her personal life became filled with goodness and light, but she did not stop there. In May of 2020, despite the challenges of the pandemic, she graduated with her high school diploma. She started with zero credits and graduated in a year and a half. The program was designed to take two years. She then enrolled herself in college courses and continued to go after the goal she had set for herself not long ago.

In August of 2020, she took her peer support specialist training, followed by an exam. Shabibi passed the exam with flying colors and received her official certification in September! She can now use her experiences, knowledge, and caring heart to help others who are hurt and feel like they have been drug through the gutter.

She continues to be engaged and feels fulfilled by having regular contact with her QOPC Counselor. Shabibi consistently has the attitude that there is always more to learn and that it is important to cherish your support system. Due to her strong relationship with QOPC, we are blessed to be able to share even more recent life updates.

Shabibi has expanded her goals for her future and made a momentous new purchase. Watch out, world! This woman is looking to start her own business. She aims to start a support group for women who have experienced domestic violence and have children from those relationships. Her goal is to help the parent, but also the children. You may be wondering how she  will manage to get to and from places to create this kind of everlasting impact, but don’t you worry! She is the proud new owner of a new car.

“I’m not going to stop attempting to better myself,” Shabibi continues to state. Humbly, she still credits Queen of Peace Center for being a big part of why she has been able to succeed. “I’m grateful that I came to Queen of Peace Center. I got to see and experience firsthand what it’s like when an organization is compassionate and dedicated to changing lives.”

Knocking on the door of QOPC takes a lot of courage, and being in recovery takes even more. “Do You Hear What I Hear?” is something our staff always looks forward to saying. It’s another knock. Another opportunity to help a mother, sister, friend, and neighbor – who seek to be seen, heard, and known for more than just their substance use disorder.

You, too, can have a story of goodness and light! Knock on our door today!