by Diane White

The Women's Foundation has helped so many women. They have helped me, also, through funding of the Women in Community Service Program.

Before entering the Women in Community Service program a few years ago, I was battling to stay sober. You see, I was battling a 15-year drug and alcohol addiction with the help of a 12-step program. During my addiction, I lived in a house where there was no running water and no electricity. I would go next door to borrow water.

I knew it was one thing to get sober, but sometimes a person may need to go a little further to add to your 12-steps program.

Women in Community Service helped me to become the person I am today. They helped me to become an independent person, a responsible person, a productive member of the community and, most of all, a loving mom. Today I'm an employee of the WICS program and a homeowner with lights and water.

They helped me to get my family back, meaning the friendship you have with your immediate family. If anyone knows anything about addiction, it isolates you from the people you love. I have to let you know that if it had not been for the Women's Foundation support, your support of the WICS Programs, I would not be here today.

Today, I know that I'm not all that I could be, I know I'm not all that I want to be, but I thank God I'm not what I used to be.

Diane White is a graduate of Southwest Community College where she majored in Substance Abuse Counseling. She is currently employed as an Employment Career Specialist with Women in Community Service (WICS). She is a community volunteer, in which she serves on the Tennessee Department of Human Services-Volunteer Support Committee, Vice President of the Census Track 61 Neighborhood Watch Associations. Diane has served on many committees and has volunteered throughout the years with organization such as: The Knowledge Quest School Age Academy, The Bicentennial Initiative with Housing, Community and Development, and WICS Mentoring Program with Shelby County Division of Corrections.

She is a member of Grace Temple Church of God in Christ where she is a choir member she has a passion for family, friends and working with at-risk women. Diane's goal in life is to one day open a halfway house for women.