“March 15, 2012. I remember walking onto TROSA’s campus that day and thinking, ‘I am so ready,’” shares TROSA graduate and staff member Angela.
Those were not easy steps to take. For several years, Angela had been battling a dangerous cycle of addiction and arrests. “It was hell,” Angela shares. She sought help at shorter-term programs, but needed something long-term. While at a detox facility, she was urged by a counselor to try TROSA’s multi-year recovery program.
At TROSA, Angela was able to focus on behavior changes while learning and practicing new life skills. With community support, she identified and addressed the issues and emotions driving her addictions. Her determination, coupled with infectious enthusiasm, made a positive impression on all those around her.
After graduating from TROSA’s two-year program, Angela was asked to join the staff as Admissions Manager. An accomplished and compassionate leader, Angela has earned many credentials, including North Carolina Certified Peer Support Specialist and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC).
Today, Angela is taking on a new role to help even more people. She is helping establish TROSA’s first-ever satellite campus in Winston-Salem. The campus will be called TROSA Triad and it will follow the award-winning program model that has successfully served thousands of men and women in Durham for more than 25 years.
Part of what makes TROSA’s model special and uniquely successful is the community support of our social enterprises. TROSA’s social enterprises help generate revenue to keep our comprehensive program services cost-free for our residents and also serve as one of several departments where our residents can receive hands-on training to practice life skills in recovery. In Durham, our social enterprises are TROSA Moving, TROSA Lawn Care, TROSA Tree Lots, and TROSA Thrift Store. All play a key therapeutic role in our residents’ recovery programs.
For our new Triad campus, TROSA will have a 37,000-square foot Thrift Store on Peters Creek Parkway in Winston-Salem. Angela will serve as the TROSA Triad Thrift Store Manager.
“Taking on this new role allows me to learn new skills while still contributing to the care and well-being of our residents, which gives me purpose. I am excited to be involved in this moment of growth for TROSA.”
The TROSA Triad Thrift Store will serve as an important therapeutic component in our program. Residents will participate in the store’s operations, learning hands-on life skills to help prepare for life in recovery.
Angela’s presence as our Thrift Store Manager will be vitally important. “Residents see TROSA program staff in long-term recovery and it gives them hope. I am proud of who I am today.”
