In this month’s newsletter, we invite you to our upcoming Pathways to Possibilities Luncheon, share encouraging news about a long-overdue state study on reimbursement rates for recovery programs, spotlight the essential work of our front-line reception team, and highlight Kristina’s powerful story of healing and hope.
Support
Invitation to Pathways to Possibilities Luncheon
Join us in building brighter futures for women and families at Nexus.
RSVP today for Nexus Family Recovery Center’s 4th Annual Pathways to Possibilities Luncheon, happening Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at Dallas College Eastfield Campus in Mesquite.
This complimentary fundraising event is your opportunity to learn more about Nexus’ mission and how your ongoing support can help empower women in recovery and their children. You’ll hear powerful stories, connect with others in our community of hope, and discover how you can get involved as a sustaining donor, advocate, or volunteer.
By becoming a Pathways to Possibilities sustaining donor, you’re helping to ensure that women and mothers facing substance use disorders have consistent access to life-saving care and services. Monthly giving offers long-term impact and members receive exclusive updates, Nexus merchandise, and invitations to special events like this luncheon.
Event Details:
📍 Dallas College Eastfield Campus
Building S, Rooms S100–101 | 3737 Motley Drive | Mesquite, TX
🕦 11:30 a.m. Registration
🕛 12–1 p.m. Luncheon & Presentation
🕛 1:15 p.m. Optional tour of Nexus Campus
RSVP today to development@nexusrecovery.org and help us continue to build Pathways to Possibilities one life and one family at a time.
Community
Good News: State to Study Reimbursement Rates for Programs Like Nexus
Nexus is excited to share an important update that could help bring more funding to our agency and other organizations like us.
The State of Texas has asked the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to study how much it really costs to run programs where moms can bring their children with them into residential treatment. This is a big part of what makes Nexus special and it’s not something most treatment centers offer.
Right now, Nexus covers nearly $300 per woman per day out of our own budget to make this kind of care possible. But the current funding from the state doesn’t reflect how costly it is to support both mom and her children through recovery.
This new study will give HHSC the chance to look at real costs and suggest better reimbursement rates. They’ll release a proposal by January 1, 2026 and ask the public for feedback before making it final. Nexus plans to be very involved in that process.
This is an exciting step toward getting the funding we need to continue helping families heal together. With better state support, Nexus can serve more moms, more children, and create even better outcomes for the families we care for.
Security
More Than a Welcome Desk: The Vital Role of the Nexus Reception Team
At Nexus, our reception team does so much more than greet guests. They help ensure the safety, stability, and day-to-day operations of our entire campus.
Whether it’s answering phones, assisting clients, or responding in emergencies, reception is often the first point of contact and the first line of defense. These team members are the eyes and ears of Nexus and are always ready to help.
During the day, Loren Cabrera keeps our front desk running smoothly, supporting both staff and clients with care and professionalism. Charlotte Dunn, our Evening Operations Supervisor, takes on the critical evening receptionist role, balancing hospitality with readiness for any after-hours concerns. On weekends, Leticia Scott welcomes all who come through our doors, ensuring consistent support seven days a week. And Karla Medina, our PRN team member, steps in with skill and dedication whenever additional coverage is needed.
From providing a calming and welcoming presence on a client’s first day to quickly responding in medical or security situations, this team contributes to the safe, welcoming environment Nexus is known for. We’re deeply grateful for their steady presence and the essential role they play in keeping Nexus running and safe every single day.
Dignity
Finding Herself Again: Kristina’s Journey of Recovery and Renewal
Kristina’s sobriety date is in September, a milestone she holds close to her heart. Originally from Russia and raised in Chicago, Kristina describes her childhood as painful. “I grew up around very mad and upset people,” she recalls. By age 16, she began using substances in an attempt to escape that pain. The turning point came years later when she gave birth to her daughter and then had to face the devastation of Child Protective Services (CPS) removing her. “I wanted to change and be a different person. I wanted to be the best mom I could be.”
It was Kristina’s CPS caseworker who first told her about Nexus. She entered treatment in 2018, beginning with detox and continuing through inpatient and outpatient programs and found the women-only environment especially helpful. Kristina says, “Nexus helped me find myself again. I got to know me again and who I was. They helped me let go of my past so I could move forward.”
Today, Kristina is a wife, a mother to two beautiful girls, and a homeowner. She’s employed as a cashier at Burger King, where she juggles customer service, food prep, and cleaning during a “really, really busy” workday. Her professional goal? “I want to be a district manager.” In her free time, Kristina enjoys fishing and tending her garden. But more than that, she wants to continue growing as the strong, positive force her family needs. “God helps me every day to stay sober. My kids and my life keep me going.”
Kristina says Nexus gave her more than tools for sobriety; it gave her hope. “Honestly, if I can do it and turn my life around, anyone can do it. You have to do it for yourself and believe in yourself. It’s not easy, and trials will come your way but you have to be stronger. Love life. Thank God every morning for the chance to wake up and breathe. And don’t try to help other people until you help yourself.”
Kristina’s story is a reminder that recovery is not just possible, it’s transformational. And it starts with hope.