She tells us, “Looking back, arriving here as an immigrant, I was in a vulnerable position. But I was fortunate—I had the chance to connect with the right people, to learn about the community, and to experience change that has been incredibly kind to me. Now, I feel it’s time to give back. I want others to have the same opportunities I was given. When someone is facing a major crisis, what they need most is support—kindness, guidance, and a sense that they’re not alone. Honestly, we all need that at some point.”

Meet Gabi Vascan

Gabi immigrated to the United States from Transylvania, Romania, 20 years ago with just $100 in her pocket and a heart full of hope. Although she already held a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Economics, her passion for learning and growth led her to pursue an MBA in Business Administration from the University of Nevada, Reno. She later went on to earn the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation through the Institute of Management Accountants, further strengthening her expertise in the field.

Vascan worked as Financial Controller and Financial Manager for several local companies, including B&J Industries, Clear Capital, Swift Communications, and Castelli North America. Through her work, she noticed how the local business community often lacked the support and the solutions they needed to thrive. She joined forces with a colleague, and together they co-founded Pulse Business Consulting. Today, they empower and support business owners by providing financial clarity, building sustainable systems, and guiding more informed decision-making.

Joining The Empowerment Center’s Board

Vascan’s been in the nonprofit space for a few years and appreciates how giving our local community can be. She’s a member of Thank you Ma’am Reno, a small group of women that fundraise together. They gather quarterly, hear four Northern Nevada nonprofits present their stories, and choose to support the one that inspires them most.

Ready to give back to the community in a bigger way, Gabi explained, “I started reaching out to people I knew were givers and had their hearts in the right places”. This included another Empowerment Center Board Member, who encouraged her to connect with us.  She started learning more about TEC sustainable path to lasting recovery. Gabi adds, “I believe what The Empowerment Center offers is a true opportunity for a better life. They provide everything a person needs to succeed. It’s meaningful work—and a wonderful opportunity to be part of something that makes a real difference!”

Vascan is most inspired by the Center’s commitment to continuous improvement—enhancing their programs, refining treatment effectiveness, and preparing for their next phase of growth with the development of TEC2, a new 83-bed treatment facility. She’s particularly impressed by how the Center is expanding access and impact through increasingly personalized recovery programs, creating more opportunities for more people to succeed.

Outside of Work

Outside of work, Gabi enjoys spending time with her 7-year old daughter, Ellie, and exploring our mountains – both together and independently. They joined Sky Tavern for the first time this year, where Gabi is volunteering as a ski instructor and her daughter is taking her first turns. They also adventure to larger mountains together. Last month at Heavenly, they realized how much Ellie loved skiing between the trees and stayed until the lifts stopped spinning. As for longer hikes, one of Vascan’s favorites is Clouds Rest in Yosemite. She especially enjoys summiting 14,000 foot peaks – for both the experience of standing atop them and the comradery of training with a hiking group throughout the season.

We know Gabi Vascan has so many talents to contribute to our Board, and we’re honored she’s chosen to give her time to us. TEC Executive Director Roxanne DeCarlo notes, “I’m so grateful that Gabi chose The Empowerment Center. She’s incredibly talented and brings such a wealth of knowledge to our team — truly the perfect fit.”

Here’s what that looks like, and the results we’ve been seeing:

About EMDR

EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy, is an evidence-based therapeutic practice that helps people process trauma. It’s just one of the ways we’re helping women struggling with addiction better their lives. The idea behind EMDR is having one foot in the present, the other in the past. Eye movement, tapping, butterfly hugs, and other tools keep clients grounded in the right-now while they’re processing their histories.

During EMDR, clients don’t need to process every trauma and don’t need to share all the details with McKinney. When they target their most impactful memories, their bodies generalize to the broader memory network, desensitizing them to triggers.

EMDR is an accelerated treatment, which is key when women usually only have 5 months at The Empowerment Center and 2 months before they’ll be returning to the workforce. “The beauty of it, is how fast it works,” Karen shares.

EMDR Works for Addiction

“When we have PTSD, when we have anxiety, when we have depression – basically it’s the past that’s still present in us,” according to McKinney. “EMDR processes it out, puts the past in the past, and helps us move on.” With the help of EMDR, she’s seeing clients sleep through the night, pull themselves out of depression, and more. When before some of her clients struggled to feel their feelings, after as little as 2-3 sessions, they’re telling her how disappointed, sad, and hurt they’ve been.

One of Karen’s recent experiences with EMDR was with a woman processing grief. Her husband had passed away and she felt caught in her guilt, like she couldn’t go on. After EMDR, she didn’t feel the guilt anymore. Today, she’s been able to grieve her loss in a healthy way and is feeling good about moving on to a new romantic relationship.

About Karen McKinney

Karen McKinney is a licensed alcohol and drug counselor (LADC), as well as a licensed clinical social worker(LCSW). Her focus is trauma, because that’s mainly where addiction comes from. It’s something she understands all too well. Karen is 11 years sober. She earned her GED at 45, then kept going – obtaining a Bachelors in Social Work, a Masters in Social Work, and a minor in Addiction Treatment Services. She tells her clients, “When you get sober, you have choices. You can do anything you want.”

Before coming to The Empowerment Center in 2022, McKinney worked with victims of domestic violence at ACCS (American Comprehensive Counseling Services) and ran group therapy sessions for prisoners at the Washoe County Jail.

EMDR: Just one of our Wrap-Around Services

At least 90% of Empowerment Center clients have experienced trauma, according to McKinney. They’ve been sexually abused, neglected, physically abused, grown up in foster care, and have ruptured attachments. She recognizes, “addiction is a coping skill, and they’re looking for something to feel better.”

At The Empowerment Center, we’re addressing not just addiction, but everything that’s needed to help women turn their lives around. We’re treating their traumas, their co-occurring disorders, and their medical conditions. Then, we’re teaching them coping skills more suitable for leading successful and fulfilling lives. We’re helping our clients find work, build community, and – in the process – improve their self-esteem. Our approach is a full suite of wrap-around services designed to help them advance through the next stages of their lives. EMDR is just one piece of our toolbox, but a valuable one. We’re grateful for the benefits it’s had at our treatment center.

Eventually, Betty moved into a dorm at the Hopes campus, run by RISE. “It was a godsend,” Betty explains, “because I finally got off the streets and they allowed dogs and everything.” It was an important next step. Betty lived there for 7 months and, with their support and accountability, got sober. Then, through the shelter, she learned about Marvel Way – a new supportive housing apartment complex about to open.

Mathews applied – and was accepted! On November 28, 2022, she became one of the first tenants to move into our newly-constructed building. She’s still living at Marvel, and doing well! She’s been sober for two and a half years.

Why Marvel Way Works for Betty

When talking about her home at Marvel Way, Betty tells us, “This place has kept me from drinking alcohol and going back to the old ways.” At the Hopes campus, knowing she needed to stay sober in order to stay helped Betty stop drinking.

Similarly, at Marvel Way, having accountability is important to Mathews. When she moved in, right away she began participating in on-site 12-step meetings. She appreciated how these meetings were mostly for residents and created a smaller recovery community.

Betty’s enjoyed joining many of Marvel Way’s community events, including holiday parties and summer BBQs. One of her favorite events? Pet Palooza – a pet-focused dog last June with stations set up outside for residents to visit! As she visited each pet-focused event station, she picked up a free leash, ice cream for her dog, information on pet vaccinations, and more! When Betty was living in her car, she relied in on her twin Malteses to alert her if someone was getting too close to her car. Today, she wants to give them everything she can.

Betty’s New Life

While Mathews isn’t working due to health issues, she’s keeping busy. She likes going to the movies, taking her dogs to the park, and camping on Lake Tahoe. When she camps with a friend, they eat well, swim, spend time with their dogs, and play dominos and cards. She’s also camped with larger groups, including a Sierra Sisters recovery trip last summer. For Betty, “it’s really fun to be around others who are recovering.”

She’s also enjoying reconnecting with family. Mathews has 6 children, ages 29 to 40. Through them, she has 16 grandkids and 2 great-grandkids. While they’re not local, Betty gets pictures all the time and enjoys going to Las Vegas to visit some of her grandkids. Other times, her grandkids will visit her here in Reno. She also has family in Sacramento, Berry Creek, and Texas.

While one day Betty may choose to live even more independently, since its opening, Marvel Way has been the right fit for her. She shares, “If you ever need anything, if you’re ever having any problems or issues, all you have to do is ask. If you need someone kind to talk to, there’s always somebody here. Marvel Way is a great place to be.”

As our Property Manager, Rikki Freedle and EBMC manage lease applications, rent payments, maintenance, and repairs – allowing The Empowerment Center to focus on providing supportive services for our residents in recovery, including psychiatric support, parental services, 12-step meetings, community events, and assistance navigating resources from outside organizations. 

“Rikki’s already shown incredible adaptability and enthusiasm and is a great fit within our small community,” shares Executive Director Roxanne DeCarlo. “We’re excited to see all she will accomplish in the year ahead!” 

Introducing: Rikki Freedle 

Rikki Freedle began working with The Empowerment Center and Marvel Way in October 2024 as a temp for our former property management company – and we’re excited she’ll be joining our team long-term through her new role with Eugene Burger! Rikki’s in recovery herself (2 years sober!) which is helping her quickly connect with our residents and better understand the unique living environment we provide. 

Freedle grew up mostly in Las Vegas and, more recently, moved to Reno by way of the Bay Area. Before coming to TEC, she was a Service Advisor for a highly regarded auto shop, where she enjoyed building relationships with their clients. Prior to this, she worked in home remodeling and restaurant service. 

Rikki’s Journey 

Throughout Rikki’s childhood, methamphetamine had a regular presence in her house. She was raised mostly by her dad and her family moved for work a lot, leading Rikki to attend 5elementary schools, 5 middle schools, and 5 high schools. When she was 13, her best friend’s mom and brother were murdered by the mom’s boyfriend. Rikki was close with the whole family (they’re best friends to this day) and the tragedy absolutely crushed her. She stopped going to school. 

She also started looking more closely at what was happening in her own home. Freedle’s older cousin, practically her hero, had recently started using meth with her dad. If it was good enough for him, she wanted to try it too. As the murder trial was wrapping up, she told her cousin that she knew what he was on and wanted to see what it was like. When her cousin said no, she spent hours insisting that she was going to try it, whether it came from him or someone else. 

Rikki tried meth that night and liked how it numbed her. She used for 8 months straight, hardly telling anyone. “I didn’t want people knowing, because I didn’t want to be like that,” she explained. “I was just drowning out these emotions.” At 14, she told her friends she was using and they helped her get clean. She stayed sober through the rest of her youth. 

Years later, Freedle was living in the Bay Area. Her parents had followed her there. She was living with a boyfriend and, needing a place to live when she broke up with him, moved in with her parents. She started using again, both with her parents and with her next boyfriend, who she’d spend 5 years with. They tried to get clean together, several times, but it never lasted. Eventually, Rikki realized she needed to find herself and learn how to live independently. She separated from him and moved out, living in her car for the first three months. She continued going to work, showered at her gym, and started going to meetings and church. 

Moving to Reno & Working at Marvel Way 

Rikki Freedle knew she was ready for a change. Her brother, also sober, was living in Reno and suggested she move in with him. While Rikki enjoyed her work at the auto shop, the move felt right- and she left it. Her brother connected her to a temp agency, who helped her find her first job at Marvel Way. 

At Marvel Way, Rikki tells us, “Everything happens for a reason. I feel at home here, because everybody’s in recovery like me. I don’t feel like an outsider. I’ve always wanted to know what my purpose in life was, and here I am, making a career out of it!” Every morning, her day begins with all the building’s kids gathering in front of her office, waiting for their school buses. She loved how they greet her with hugs, and how she gets to help the younger, more nervous kids get out to their buses. Then, she begins her core work, appreciating how much she’s learning in her new role with the new property management company. She’s enjoying getting to know Marvel Way’s residents and being a part of its supportive, motivational environment. 

When the second Marvel Way apartment building opens this spring, increasing our capacity from 42 to 88 units, Rikki will move into her own 2-bedroom unit on site. The second bedroom will be for when her daughter visits, one of the things Freedle’s most excited about! Her daughter primarily lives with her dad in Las Vegas, where she’s surrounded by a big family and has a school she’s thriving at. From Reno, it’s just a short flight to spend time together. Outside of work, Freedle is also enjoying getting involved in her new church, taking long walks with her dog, going to the gym, tanning, and getting to know her new community. 

“I am so incredibly happy to begin this new chapter of my life here in Reno, at Marvel Way. This move has been more than just a change of location-it has completely transformed my way of thinking and living. Being here has given me the clarity, strength, and inspiration to become the women I’ve always admired. Every day, I feel myself growing, evolving, and 

embracing the life I’ve always envisioned. This journey is just the beginning, and I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to create the best version of myself here at Marvel Way.” 

A year ago, Rennie Johnson moved into Marvel Way, TEC’s sober living private apartments. After a series of health issues, including heart surgery and a stroke, left him unable to work and living in a shelter, having an affordable, permanent home at Marvel has helped Rennie focus on his health, on both his physical and spiritual recovery. He’s working at Raley’s, walking without a cane, reconnecting with church life, and building his sober community.

Here’s a peak at his journey – and what he’s learned along the way:

Johnson’s Younger Years

Rennie grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and moved to Reno about 20 years ago. He was raised in a conservative church family and, at 18, tells us how he broke away and started to make his own choices – some right and some wrong. He drank and smoked weed in his 20s and tried meth for the first time around age 30. He shares, “I went into it willingly as a weight loss drug. I was fully trying to fool myself. At some point, it grabbed a hold of me, and I couldn’t function without it. It numbed me when I didn’t want to feel pain or emotions.”

Johnson worked in retail sales, at a music store, then selling electronics, then office furniture, and thoroughly enjoyed the social aspects of his work. When he moved to Reno, he began working warehouse jobs. He had moved here to get away from some trouble and stayed away from it for a couple years, until he got to know a different crowd. Then, “it was kind of like being on a roller coaster,” he told us, “until my heart decided it was time to run.”

Time for a Change

One day at his warehouse job, 6 years ago, Rennie remembers slowing down and having trouble breathing. His team stepped in and helped get the work done so he could rest. They wanted to dial 911 right away, but Rennie said he was OK. At the end of the day, when he wanted to go home, his housemate (and coworker) insisted on taking him to the hospital instead. It was a Wednesday. By Friday, he was in surgery.

Rennie had been on the verge of a heart attack. He was in his 40s at the time and immediately, he recalls, “‘I realized that if I wanted to make 50, if I wanted to make 60, I was going to have to change.” The hospital referred him to a primary care physician, and he was honest with her about his substance use and what he knew needed to change in his life.

Rennie stopped using meth cold turkey and, 3 years later, stopped drinking as well. Breaking his addiction took a few tries, as his doctor warned him it might. Ultimately, when Johnson succeeded, he says “a lot of it was people, places, and things. I had to get rid of people. I had to change where I went. I had to do things different in my life.”

From Stroke to Homeless Shelter

A year sober, Rennie suffered a stroke, from which he never fully recovered. He was in the hospital for 5 days, a rehab center for 30, and spent a couple years in outpatient rehab, including vocational and physical rehabilitation. He couldn’t walk. He lost fine motor control over the right half of his body, which meant he had to learn how to do everything with his non-dominant left side – including writing and eating.

He couldn’t work, especially in the physical warehouse environment he’d been employed by since arriving in Reno 20 years prior. He applied for disability, but never received it.

Rennie’s housemate continued to be his friend and a positive and sober influence in his life. However, when his housemate’s family moved in with him, Rennie felt out of place and moved out. He had funds to keep himself housed for a little while – but eventually had to move to a homeless shelter.

Finding Support through Reno Works

In the shelter, Johnson connected with Reno Works, a workforce development partnership program between Volunteers of America and the City of Reno. It was the catalyst for moving him forward. The program helped Rennie identify what types of work he could still do well and prepared him to interview successfully.

Rennie was hired at Raley’s as a Courtesy Clerk, where he’s bagging groceries, pushing shopping carts, and helping out as needed. Similar to how he enjoyed selling music, electronics, and furniture in his younger years – once again Rennie is enjoying interacting with customers. “I love my job because it gives me public interaction. I’ve always been friendly and I love talking to people. I don’t look down on ‘I’m just a Courtesy Clerk,’ because without Courtesy Clerks, you can’t go shopping. When I do my job well, it makes a difference.”

Moving to Marvel Way

Through the supportive services Johnson received, he learned about the Marvel Way Complex and was encouraged to apply. A year ago, after he began working at Raley’s, Rennie moved into his private, one-bedroom apartment at Marvel. He recognizes how Marvel’s given him the space he needs to continue to improve his health.

At Marvel Way, Rennie tells us, “This is a calm, quiet place. It’s your own spot, your own space, your own quiet, your own meal prep. You can make better choices here – in every aspect of life.” In the shelter, Rennie was sharing a dorm room with as many as 100 people and was constantly subjected to everyone’s business. He had to hear screaming in the middle of the night and – whether permitted in the shelter or not – tune out the substances being passed around. He was always around other people, both inside and out, and it made moving ahead in life nearly impossible.

At Marvel Way, Rennie has access to not only the basics (independence, privacy, and access to public transportation), but a support system. He’s especially appreciated getting to know our Housing Director, Richard. He notes, “Richard makes me accountable. We talk every day. Being accountable to this place is very important to me.”

Finding Church & Community

Today, “life is good, God is good,” shares Rennie. “This past year, I really dug deep, I really surrendered to God. And with that, it propelled me forward.” Rennie not only attends services, but regularly participates in church activities – like potlucks and men’s group meetings. Most of his social life revolves around food, not alcohol, and he especially enjoys celebrations like his church’s New Year’s potluck. Outside of church, he also enjoys karaoke (and wishes there were more non-bar opportunities to sing) and video games. But, most of his friends are through his church.

For Rennie, church continues to be key to his sobriety and personal growth. He finishes by telling us, “What works for me is being in the church. You can do it on your own, it’s possible, but it’s not the easiest way. I can say now, because I’ve returned to Christianity, that I have no desire to go back. I have zero desire to ever use again. I have zero desire to ever take a drink again. I’m not addicted to anything. I was an addict, but I’m not anymore. I’ve blown past that and God rose in my life.”

She’s been a part of Northern Nevada’s philanthropic community for many years and we know she’ll be a fantastic addition to all that we do.

Getting to Know Cristyn Russo

Cristyn is originally from Oregon and moved to Reno in 2008. At the University of Nevada, Reno, she started out studying nursing – before switching to their Business Administration program and earning her BS in Accounting. After graduating, she began her career at Bosma Group, a local accounting firm. She continued to establish her life in Reno, engaging in community groups and starting a family. With young children at home, Russo decided that a switch to corporate accounting would create better balance in her lifestyle, so she switched to working at TriNet in 2014. She’s been with the company ever since, taking on a variety of roles, from Accountant, to Analyst, to Commissions Supervisor.

Getting Involved at The Empowerment Center

Early in her career, Cristyn attended networking groups, EDAWN events, and local fundraisers. One of her first impressions?  She remembers, “it was very enlightening to see all the philanthropy happening in Northern Nevada, and how big the community is on giving back.”

Today, her children are 22, 19, and 13 and Russo’s once again found more time to engage with community. Now that her kids are older, she’s looking forward to working on projects that serve others and bring meaning to her life – including joining the TEC Board!

“As a single mom in my young adult life, I know what it’s like to struggle to get on your feet and find the resources that will help you not just get by, but thrive,” Russo explains. “The Empowerment Center is very near and dear to my heart. I’ve had family members with substance abuse problems and see how TEC does an amazing job at helping people through really difficult times.”

Cristyn Russo & Her Family

Cristyn Russo describes herself and her family as “big outdoor people.” They spend their weekends hiking around Tahoe, both on their own and with a group of families they’re close with. They hike around Monkey Rock, Eagle Lake, and other local favorites with their Rottweiler. Russo’s family has always considered race cars to be a part of their lives – so much so that Cristyn’s dad gave her the middle name “Ferrari.” Cristyn continued the tradition with her son’s middle name, “Enzo.”

Looking Forward

Looking towards the future of The Empowerment Center, Russo is most excited about TEC2, the 80-bed treatment facility we’ll soon be breaking ground on. She sees the project through the lens of her college-job in construction, as well as through her membership at Grace Church, a contributor to the project. She notes, “it’s very excited to see everything come together and to get to be a part of it!”

We’re looking forward to having Russo on our Board too. Roxanne DeCarlo, TEC Executive Director, notes “I’m thrilled to welcome Cristyn to the Board of Directors! Her experience in finance and connections within the community will be invaluable as we continue to expand the services we provide to at-risk women. I look forward to collaborating with Cristyn and leveraging her insights to drive our mission forward.”

At The Empowerment Center, we’ve improved our 5-month women’s treatment program, finalized the design for our new 83-bed treatment facility, and chosen a builder for the project. At Marvel Way, we’ve watched our sober-living apartment complex become home to more children than we ever expected – and we’re expanding supportive services to better meet their needs.

What does all this look like? Read on as we wrap up 2024’s biggest achievements and raise a (mocktail) toast to the seasons ahead!

Family Reunification at Marvel Way

With 24 kids living in Marvel Way’s 42 sober apartments, the building is feeling livelier than ever! It’s hard to believe that just 2 years ago, our first group of residents lugged their suitcases through our doors. Our growing kid-contingent is mostly due to family reunification – and we couldn’t be prouder! After achieving sobriety, permanent housing, and steady employment, many of our residents were ready to bring their children home to live with them.

At Marvel Way, our moms and dads are busy being the best parents they’ve ever been and making up for lost time. Our staff are here to help them every step of the way, with family-friendly supportive services, community celebrations, and more!

Introducing: Our New Case Manager

Genevieve Delage just joined the Marvel Way team as its first-ever Case Manager. If you recognize her name, it’s because she’s not exactly new. Gen’s been interning at The Empowerment Center side of our organization while completing her Masters in Social Work at UNR. Coming from a background in the mortgage business, she’s excited to be helping people get back into housing and preparing them for their futures.

At Marvel Way, Delage’s role is to connect with every single tenant to identify their needs, as well as which services they could benefit from and link them with these resources. This includes everything from childcare and parenting classes (courtesy of our friends at the Children’s Cabinet) to counseling services to assistance with navigating access to public benefits. “Case management and permanent supportive housing is a match made in heaven,” explains Empowerment Center Executive Director Roxanne DeCarlo. “It’s been a missing piece since we opened our doors. Gen brings such a wealth of knowledge and experience to Marvel Way, is already getting to know the tenants, and is a perfect fit. I couldn’t be happier.”

Improving Workforce Development Programs

At The Empowerment Center, we’re taking a more personal approach to getting our clients in recovery back to work – and already seeing the difference! A big piece of this? Our new Workforce Development Specialist, Jessi Hall! Hall is focusing on identifying natural skills and talents and matching them with job search goals, allowing everyone to make the most of their career development time. She’s also teaching clients how to create their own resumes, so they’ll always have access to the skill.

This year, we’re sending more woman than ever to Truckee Meadows Community College to develop skillsets for long term careers, through their programs in business, clinical medical assistance, medical billing, and peer support and substance abuse counseling. Just as importantly, we’re focusing on the immediate employment needs of every woman who walks through our doors, especially women whose histories make finding work a bit more challenging. During our clients’ first few weeks at The Empowerment Center, Jessi helps prepare them for job searching by making sure all the necessary documents are in order: photo IDs, birth certificates, and social security cards.

Getting Ready to Break Ground on TEC2!

With the second Marvel Way supportive apartment building near completion, we’re turning our construction-attention towards TEC2, our soon-to-be 83-bed women’s treatment center. We’ve selected our builder for TEC2’, Apex Construction, and expect to break ground early next year. Roxanne DeCarlo shares, “Apex has a huge heart for helping their community, so I believe our missions are well-aligned! That makes them a great fit for completing this work with us.”

Similarly, we’ve enjoyed working with Mountain West on both phases of Marvel Way’s construction. They’ve done an excellent job, and it’s felt amazing to see the project moving so seamlessly, with something new every week. DeCarlo notes, “There’s still such a great need for housing, and the housing crisis identified years ago is still in play. Individuals completing programs need this. We can’t wait to bring Marvel Way to the forefront.

“Without Marvel Way, without having this beautiful place, I know I would be back on the streets or doing drugs again. And my kids need me. They need a level-headed mom who isn’t on drugs anymore.“

Nicole Hulihee has been sober for a year and lives in a 1-bedroom sober-living apartment at Marvel Way with her 2 youngest children. A graduate of The Empowerment Center’s treatment program, she’s recently clean from many years of addiction to meth. As a survivor not only of drug addiction, but physical and sexual abuse, for Nicole, Marvel Way represents a supportive environment where she, finally, can create a different sort of life for herself and her family. It’s her space to grow her relationships with her 6 children and 2 grandchildren, create friendships she can truly count on, and continue to work on her sobriety.

Here’s how she got here, and what matters most to Nicole today:

Nicole’s Youth

Nicole Hulihee was born and raised in Redwood City, California, where she comes from a big family. She begins her story by talking about her grandmother, who held their family together. Nicole is a survivor of being raped and molested at age 7, by her uncle. When it happened, her grandmother, aunt, and mom were the only ones who believed her. They stayed by her side while she testified against him in court. When Nicole lost her grandmother at age 9, she felt like she lost a lot of her support system.

Alcoholism and drug use was common in Hulihee’s family, so she’s always been around it. Nicole tried drugs for the first time at 14, after she lost her first child. She was 6.5 months pregnant and living with the father, when he came home from a party, beat her, and caused her to lose the baby. “That’s when I turned to crystal meth, at that time it was crank, and I loved it,” she shares. “It numbed my pain. It numbed everything and helped me forget.”

Becoming a Mother in Active Addiction

Hulihee had her first child when she was 20 and has 6 in total, ranging in ages from 12 to 24. Especially with her older kids, she missed out on a lot of experiences due to her addiction, and due to the men in her life. Her first two daughters were fathered by a man she describes as mentally, emotionally, and verbally abusive – but not physically until she wanted to leave. Her girls were 2 years old and 6 months old. When it came time to signing for custody, Nicole believed she was signing a 50/50 agreement, but that the father was in truth tricking her into signing away her parental rights.

Nicole always stopped using when she learned she was pregnant, but had trouble sticking with it once her kids were born. With her third child, she began using again when she went through postpartum depression. She shares, “I wanted the streets instead of being a mom. I wanted to get the fast money. I wanted to sell drugs and live that fast life, and I didn’t want to take him with me.” She did the best thing she knew, and brought her son to his paternal grandmother’s house. His Abuela and Abuelo raised him, but she continued to be a part of his life as much as she could.

Nicole went on to have 3 more children. She got clean with each pregnancy, but it didn’t stick once they were born. She had relationships with men that were often unhealthy and physically abusive. She was shot while trying to evict her cousin from her house. She lost one of her son’s fathers to complications from extreme obesity.

The last time Nicole was arrested, she was given a 1-4 year sentence. Instead of serving her sentence in prison, she chose to get clean at The Empowerment Center.

From The Empowerment Center to Marvel Way

Nicole completed The Empowerment Center’s 5-month treatment program in 2023. Here, she participated in individual and group sessions, enjoyed outings in the community, returned to work, and found people she could depend on. When asked what about the program clicked for her, she talks about how it taught her dignity, patience, how to utilize her time, and how to budget and spend her money wisely.

Although she relapsed briefly, Nicole learned from the experience that she didn’t need drugs in her life. She wanted to be capable of being a best friend to someone and to doing motherhood clean and sober. While she entered The Empowerment Center by taking a deal after her last arrest, what she took away from the program helped her reset her life. Hulihee recognizes that the tools she picked up in treatment are helping her to live the life she has today.

Nicole shares, “When I completed the program at The Empowerment Center and moved into Marvel Way, got my key, it was one of the best days of my life. I was able to say, ‘this is my own and I can start back at one again.” She felt even better once her boys could join her.

Why Marvel Way is Working for Nicole

At Marvel Way, Nicole is away from her old stomping grounds, has no excuse not to go to the 12-step meetings in the Community Room, and is surrounded by support every day. She especially appreciates the help of Housing Director Richard, as well as the support of her best friend, another Marvel Way resident, who’s always reminding her to do her step work. Her circle of friends is smaller, but they share stronger bonds and she can count on them. Nicole has a therapist that’s helping her, and children to stay sober for.

Living at Marvel Way, Nicole is focused on being there for her kids, and now grandkids! Her two youngest sons, ages 12 and 13, are living with her in a 1-bedroom apartment.  She loves cheering them on at football games and bragging about how well they’re playing this season. Halloween and July 4^th are her favorite holidays, and this year she enjoyed taking them to a haunted corn maze. She’s also reconnected with her two oldest children and, while she’s building the relationship slowly, is excited to be spending time with her two baby grandkids.

Work & Next Steps

Today, Hulihee works as a dispatcher for a local taxi service. It’s not her first time working as a dispatcher, and she enjoys her job a lot! As for next steps, she’s ready to get her driver’s license again, so she can become a driver for the company. Once she’s driving and can buy a car, she also looks forward to bringing her kids to Tahoe and taking herself to hot springs. She enjoyed many of the activities she got to try while in treatment at The Empowerment Center, like horseback riding, and hopes to find ways to do them again. She’s gotten pet cats for her boys and hopes to get a puppy next.

Nicole is on the waiting list for a 2-bedroom Marvel Way apartment and knows that having more space will be a huge step for her family. Putting her family first is a key part of how Hulihee is staying sober, after all. She’s recognized that men have brought her down in the past and knows she needs to prioritize being a mom. “I love being a mom,” she tells us. “I love having my kids back and am planning on doing it the right way this time.” She’s also practicing self-care, whether it be taking herself out to get her nails done or enjoying a full day of rest when she has her apartment to herself.

Advice from Nicole

“Keep going. Don’t give up, because then you’re letting your demons win,” Nicole advises. “At the end of the day, you will succeed – and it’s the best feeling. I fight my demons every day, every morning, but I tell them they’re not going to take advantage of me or take my joy. I’m in control. Don’t lose control, because if you do, you’re going to lose the battle.”

As we get ready to break ground on TEC2, our new 83-bed recovery center, we look forward to providing more access to much-needed services, including counseling, medical care, job training, and life skills education – in a secure and nurturing space.

Over the past months, we’ve been working with Moonwake Creative on our website and Bret Poinier on our logo, and we’re so proud of everything we’ve created together.

As you explore The Empowerment Center’s new website, here are a few of the biggest updates you’ll notice:

Our New Logo

As we continue to grow our Empowerment Center treatment facility and Marvel Way sober-living apartments, we’re recognizing that these two halves of our organization are very much intertwined. Our new Empowerment Center logo plays off elements from Marvel Way’s branding, reflecting the melding of our services.

Increased Accessibility

We understand that our potential clients and their families often discover our organization when struggling with some of the most difficult decisions of their lives. That’s why we’ve laid out a clear pathway to receiving treatment on our homepage – and through an expanded “Get Help” tab – walking future clients through A Day in The Life at TEC and what makes our programs affordable.

Just as significantly, our website’s new layout is easier to read, easier to navigate, and more compatible with the mobile devices the recovery community oh-so-often finds us through.

Media Coverage

Get to know The Empowerment Center’s history with news features, videos, and interviews from the past decade. These stories chart our journey from a recovery-oriented halfway house to the affordable treatment program and long-term apartment community we’ve become. Our media history highlights how we’re tackling the opioid epidemic, our foray into solar energy, our community partnerships, and how we’re supporting working families with permanent, sober homes.

Annual Report

Our 2023 Annual Report sums up our work – laying out our finances, demographics, key statistics, and progress. We also delve into our expansion plans and ways you can make a difference in the years to come. It’s all available in an easy-to-navigate flipbook format.

Empowering Families: Building a Future Through Safe and Supportive Housing

Since 2005, The Empowerment Center has provided recovery-based transitional housing for women, because every woman deserves a safe, supportive, and stable environment to rebuild her life. As we expand our offerings and get ready to break ground on our new 83-bed treatment center, we invite you to join us in this transformative initiative!

On our new website, we’ve created space to share how you can participate. From direct donations, to fundraising and outreach, to volunteering, we rely on the support of our community to help us reach our goals and support our mission.

This holiday season, will you stand with us?

Mariah’s shift happened gradually. At 15, she started smoking weed and skipping class from time to time. At the beginning of her junior year, she dropped out of High School and began using painkillers with her then-girlfriend. During their breakup three years later, Mariah Allbee fell into a severe depression. She tried turning to drinking but, still underage, ran out and didn’t have access to more.

Allbee was hurting. So, she explained “I had some friends that were using meth and I told them I wanted to try it, just because I didn’t want to feel my emotions anymore. I tried it one time and I just didn’t stop after that.” A year later, she was arrested for the first time, for selling to an undercover cop. Mariah spent three weeks in jail. When she got out, while awaiting sentencing, she continued to use meth. She was arrested again, this time on her 21^st birthday.

She spent her 21^st birthday in jail. When she got out, she went to treatment for the first time, for one month. After only a few weeks, she relapsed. Mariah had a warrant out for her arrest for six months before she got caught at a traffic stop. This time, her third time in jail, she served three months.

Coming to The Empowerment Center

Sitting in jail, Mariah knew she was ready to change her life and that this time would be different. Waiting for release, Allbee started participating in substance use programming, took her GED, and began tutoring other women in the GED class. She didn’t know what awaited her outside. Fortunately, her family was fighting for her.

Mariah’s dad reached out to The Empowerment Center and shared her story. While at first it didn’t sound like there were beds available, one room was about to be remodeled. So, The Empowerment Center held off doing it – making spacing for Mariah.

Looking back, Mariah recognizes “I think I needed a more structured, longer program. One that was more involved. My first program kind of just slapped a Band-Aid on it.” In contrast, at The Empowerment Center, she felt like she benefited from more group sessions, supportive staff, and help finding work. “It taught me how to live like a human being again. How to cook, how to do the programming, go to work, pay bills, and just live a normal, sober life.”

Finding Her Career

As Mariah advanced through the Empowerment Center’s treatment phases, she began by spending most of her time focused on treating her addiction before taking steps towards building her new life. A big part of that? Finding work.

When Mariah got off blackout, her first job was doing data entry. She enjoyed it immensely, but since it involved working with medical records, she quickly learned that once her background check came back, she wouldn’t be able to continue. Next, she took a job serving food at a casino. It paid well, but Allbee recognized that the raucous crowd she dealt with here wasn’t who she wanted to be around forever. She stayed committed to her sobriety through this job, before leaving for other retail and casino positions.

Mariah knew she was smart and had more potential. So, she started looking into going back to school. She wanted a profession that had a positive impact on people’s lives and found herself drawn to the medical field, where her background had denied her access in early recovery. Allbee considered a few options before enrolling in nursing school at TMCC. She was excited to earn a 4.0 GPA in her first semester – and is currently enrolled in her second. She’s considering whether she’ll want to stay in Northern Nevada or try living in a greener region, perhaps Colorado, Oregon, or Washington.

Mariah’s Family & Support System

School isn’t the only thing that’s changed in Mariah’s life. Now 29, she’s living with her boyfriend Kyle and their two kids, ages 6 and 3. Mariah and Kyle met at an NA meeting and today spend most of their free time playing outside with their kids. They camp, hang out by Truckee River or Lake Tahoe, go to Coconut Bowl, and visit their cousins. Mariah has a tighter social circle than she did when she was using but knows that her friendships today are stronger for it.

While, like so many others, Mariah relapsed when she was out of work during COVID, she immediately sought help. She came back to The Empowerment Center for counseling and is grateful to be back on track.

Mariah’s Advice

When Mariah talks to people she feels could use support in their addictions, she often recommends they come to The Empowerment Center. She knows that since it changed her life, it could also be the right choice for them. She feels the biggest thing is that “someone who needs to get sober has to want to get sober. A lot of times, people unfortunately have to go through being arrested to get to that point, and forced into a program. But sobriety is definitely possible, even without having to go through all that. I think you really just have to be strong minded.And you have to want this, because if you don’t, no one else can convince you or push you. You have to free yourself.”