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Recovery Rising Committee Plans Campus Transformation

Nexus’ Recovery Rising campaign is in full swing, led by the Recovery Rising Committee. Made up of board members and donors volunteering their time, this committee is helping us plan our $86 million, five-phase Campus Vision Plan. Under this plan, Nexus’ entire campus will be renewed, redeveloped, and revitalized to establish a state-of-the art recovery community to serve the needs of generations to come, transforming Nexus’ entire campus and doubling capacity by 2031.

Recovery Rising Committee Members

• Kristy Faus, Co-Chair
• Raymond Faus, Co-Chair
• Miriam Armijo
• Adam Greenup
• Louise Hallam
• Renda Mathews
• Steve Penrose
• Courtney Rottman
• Alison Watros

Dignity

DeLisa Finds Peace of Mind

DeLisa, 35, has been in recovery since May 12, 2020. She describes her life before Nexus as “disconnected, destructive, and void.” DeLisa started using pain pills when she was a teenager. She joined the Army at 17 and was deployed to Iraq when she turned 18. After her deployment in 2008, DeLisa’s substance use disorder (SUD) progressively got worse. She started using heroin and crack, combined with “every substance in between.” Inevitably, her life completely unraveled, as DeLisa completely centered her life around using drugs and getting money to use more drugs. This endless cycle use led to long periods of homelessness for DeLisa, followed by extended stays in jail. Overdoses became a regular occurrence, and DeLisa’s legal issues were piling up to the sky.

“I was destroying my life and the life of those around me,” says DeLisa. “My family desperately tried to offer support, but there was nothing they could do. I was in the grip of this disease. I hit rock bottom, repeatedly. I was hardly a shell of a person anymore.”

Physically unrecognizable and spiritually empty, DeLisa decided to make a change. She had tried seeking recovery many times before, but this time was different. This time she turned to Nexus Recovery Center. After going through medical detox, DeLisa spent 30 days in the Adult Women residential program. At Nexus, DeLisa found herself surrounded by women who knew exactly what she was going through. Nexus offered her support groups, counseling, and even trauma therapy, all in a safe place full of hope and acceptance.

“Some days were tough because making so many changes can feel awkward and uncomfortable,” DeLisa says. “I used this time to work through the issues of my past. In doing so I finally caught a glimpse of hope. Slowly but surely, I was able to return to a sound mind. Nexus has had my back at every turn and for that I am grateful.”

As part of her recovery, DeLisa also participated in Nexus’ Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program, which has been essential to recovering from opioid use disorder. After completing the residential program, DeLisa chose to participate in the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). This extra layer of support helped her to transition into the new life she lives today.

After leaving residential treatment at Nexus, DeLisa moved into an Oxford House sober living home, which provided her with the perfect balance of structure, accountability, and freedom. DeLisa got a sponsor and started participating in Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and the 12 Step Program. This has enabled her to move into long-term recovery and develop a sense of community and connection with others on the same journey.

“Nexus helped me lay a solid foundation for my recovery,” says DeLisa “I was able to find inner strength and healing while at Nexus. I’ve gained a sense of freedom that I never thought was possible.”

DeLisa has been working full-time for Amazon for the past 3 years. She also decided to go back to school, full-time, through Dallas College’s Eastfield Campus, just across the street from Nexus. DeLisa just completed her Associates of Applied Sciences in Social Services in December and now works part-time for an outpatient substance use clinic in Garland. DeLisa plans to continue her education and explore the path of Social Services. She is currently in the process of becoming a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC). During her time at Nexus, DeLisa says that she met some great social workers who inspired her to take this path. She knows there are a lot of people out there still suffering and wants to be able to help in some way.

“I am just enjoying life on life’s terms. Taking things one day at a time. Sometimes one minute at a time,” DeLisa says. “I never thought I’d be able to escape the desire to use, but I have. Today I have peace of mind and gratitude.”