My name is Jennifer Justice, and my story is one of transformation, recovery, and redemption. For many years, I lived in the shadows of addiction, my life consumed by opiates and meth. The drugs gave me an escape, but they also took everything from me — my family, my dignity, and my future. Two of my four children had CPS involvement, and I lost my parental rights to my now 10-year-old child. It felt like I had lost everything that mattered.
Finding Hope Through F.I.R.S.T Legal Clinic
But that’s not the end of my story — it’s just the beginning.
I found a lifeline when I connected with F.I.R.S.T Legal Clinic, an organization that would ultimately change my life. F.I.R.S.T’s pre-filing intervention program was the turning point I desperately needed. It wasn’t just a legal service — it was a community of people who cared, who understood, and who believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself.
The Impact of a Parent Ally
One of the most impactful aspects of F.I.R.S.T was having a Parent Ally — someone with lived experience who had walked the same painful path of addiction and loss. This person didn’t just talk to me about my case; they shared their own story, their struggles, and their successes. They offered me hope, showing me that change was possible, and that recovery wasn’t just about getting clean — it was about building a new life from the ground up.
Rebuilding My Life
With their support, I found the strength to turn my life around. Five and a half years later, I am proud to say that I am clean and sober. I went back to school, completed my Associate of Applied Arts degree (AAA), and gained a sense of purpose I had never known before.
Today, I work as a Parent Ally with F.I.R.S.T Legal Clinic, helping other parents who are walking the same difficult road I once did. I can now offer them the same hope and guidance that was given to me.
Reconnecting With My Children
My journey has not been easy. There were times when I doubted whether I could ever be a good mother again, especially after losing my rights to my child. But with every milestone in my recovery, I earned a little more trust and a little more stability. I’ve been able to reconnect with all four of my children, and I now have a second chance at being the mother they deserve.
A Calling to Help Others
Being a Parent Ally isn’t just a job to me; it’s a calling. I know how hard it is to fight against the odds, to fight for your family, to fight for your own life. I also know that change is possible, because I’ve lived it. Every day, I get to help other parents navigate the complex systems of recovery, child welfare, and family reunification. I get to show them that their past doesn’t define their future.
A Testament to the Power of Second Chances
In a world that too often judges those who struggle with addiction, F.I.R.S.T Legal Clinic has been my beacon of hope. They believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself, and they gave me the tools to rebuild my life and my family. Today, I am not just a survivor; I am a mother, an advocate, and a living testament to the power of second chances.