When Betty Mathews lost her job during COVID, she turned to alcohol. She lost her housing too – and since her family didn’t want to take her in while she was drinking, found herself sleeping in her car with her two dogs. She showered and ate at the Hopes campus, sometimes leaving her dogs in their kennels so she’d have solo time to take care of herself. She continued getting drunk in her car, both while parked and driving around. She was spending all her money on drinking. And she didn’t see a way out.
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.”