"Reconnecting Families in the Mississippi Delta"

Growing up in the small farm town of Mayersville, MS, my parents (Roosevelt & Pauline Sias) were heavily involved in the civil rights movement. Through their recalls of factual events, I grew up hearing stories about Democratic activist Fannie Lou Hamer from Ruleville, MS, Marion Wright Edelman, Dr. Dorothy Height, very young to the civil rights movement now Congressman Bennie Thompson and had numerous personal interactions with Former Mayersville Mayor Unita Blackwell, who was the first black woman mayor in the history of the State of Mississippi. The legacy of their courage and how they struggled within the most rural impoverished areas of Mississippi touched my heart then and to this day. Through these accounts and struggles unbeknowing to myself until now, I too as they did have the desire to fight for change. This desire has led me to write you about a program, which means a great deal to a staff of nineteen and me. HRDI (Human Resource Development Institute) - Alcohol and Drug Treatment Program is a residential 16-bed six-month treatment facility for women ages 18-55 located in the heart of the Mississippi Delta (Cleveland, MS). This 12-step program is assisting women to look beyond the negative that has encompass their lives and take the opportunity to reach out to the positive which will bring a chance for a new life filled with sobriety. Many adversed factors encircle substance abuse such as childhood molestation. Research shows that 98% of women who are substance abusers have had sexual trauma perpetrated by family members or people that they trust such as a close family friend. These women turn to drugs to mask their hurt. The program helps women to identify that the drugs are not the root cause, it is a symptom and when they address the root cause, which is the trauma, the symptoms (drug, alcohol, promiscuities) are alleviated. The program has enabled these women to go back into their community and become a vital working individual in various employment opportunities. We serve the sickest of the sick and the poorest of the poor such as women who have contracted HIV. These women have nowhere to go and no one to turn to. When the woman is sick the entire family is lost, through giving the woman back her health and strength; the family can once again be whole.

Some of the services provided by our program include: counseling (individual, group and family), access to health care (physicals & HIV screening), job readiness, parenting classes, physical activities, money management and GED. A component of the program that was established is S.O.S.-Sisters of Survival, the graduates of the program coming to the facility giving back in the form of mentors for the new clients. The symbol for S.O.S. is the butterfly. Just as the caterpillar turns into a butterfly, the graduates chose this symbol because in the beginning, while fighting for their sobriety, they felt ugly and undeserving but as they stayed in this fight, they began to feel better about themselves and the decision to change. At that moment, the miracle happens and a new woman emerges. What is so exceptional about this component these women have learned what it takes to capture their miracle and is willing to share it with others who are fighting to become strong again. These tools are integrated into the structure of our program to start the healing process from the unfortunate involvement with substance abuse. After completion of this program, our clients are equipped with the necessary skills needed to start over. A qualitative study conducted by program evaluator Dr. Olga Osby, Assistant Professor of Social Work, Jackson State University gives significant insight on the result of this program in the Mississippi Delta (See Attached Reference). As of this day, the program has served approximately 153 women, of this number approximately 50 have graduated and 25 gained full-time employment. In the beginning, the program faced many obstacles. The faces of people were harsh as we would go out and speak to them about substace abuse. After conducting a community forum, working with local and state community leaders, participating in interviews on radio and TV, news articles in the local papers, numerous speeches at churches, community centers and various organizations our countless hours of effort and determination for everyone to know what these women go through in order to fight for their sobriety was not in vain. Now, after five years of struggle, when we speak about substance abuse, softness due to understanding is what we see. Our goal was to educate the Delta about substance abuse and what a second chance really means. To a large degree, our efforts have made a difference. Working in this program has truly been a challenge not just for the staff, but our families as well. Our work hours don't end at five p.m. because it is an ongoing challenge to keep this program operating. After an extremely difficult day, our spirit is not tried because we can see we are making a difference in these women and families lives. This program was once characterized by one of our S.O.S. members as a light for them at the end of a long dark tunnel, searching and stumbling in the darkness but finally seeing a light to show them the way. This characterization takes my mind back to the recalls of my parents when they spoke of Ms.Hamer who would always sing "This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine." On Septmeber 30, 2007 without funding (annual budget need of $460,000) for sustainability, this light of ours will cease to shine for those seeking a second chance.

Submitted by:
Cheryl Sias-Micou, MSW
Clinical State Director - HRDI Mississippi

Reference: Rural Mental Health - National Association of Rural Mental Health; Summer 2006, volume no.31