The Art of Recovery: How Jay Turned His Life into a Masterpiece of Hope

“Whenever I needed to return to Whatcom Detox, I always felt welcomed by the staff and they continuously provided me reassurances that it was never too late. It’s not how many times you fall, but how many times you get back up.”  Jay

It is wonderful to hear back from our clients that have been through detox and continue on to receive supportive services. We are very pleased to share a story on Jay, who came through Whatcom Community Detox and received support and services from the staff from January 2023 – July 2025. He was also introduced to our Foundational Community Supports (FCS) Supportive Housing team to help him secure a home.

Detox

Cassandra Casey, SUDP at Whatcom Community Detox, shared, “Jay’s journey has been a powerful reminder of what dedication and hard work can achieve. I remember when I first worked with Jay and saw the internal struggle he was experiencing. Watching him face multiple challenges while continuing to move forward has been truly inspiring.”

Jay expressed deep gratitude to the nursing staff and said they were great! In remembering the kindness and compassionate care he received from all the staff at Whatcom, Jay became overwhelmed with emotions. He eluded to the fact that if it wasn’t for the staff’s warmth and compassion, he believed things would have gone differently.

“I actively encourage other people that are struggling to go to Whatcom Detox. It’s the best program I’ve ever been to. The staff were very compassionate, professionally courteous and went the extra mile for me. Cassandra in particular stands out to me. She was also genuine, very proactive and always made sure I was aware of the next steps. And, she ALWAYS made sure treatment was set up for me,” Jay said.

 Cassandra was thrilled to add, “Jay has demonstrated remarkable courage, motivation, and commitment to his recovery. Jay’s progress speaks volumes about his strength and resilience, and his story will continue to inspire others as they continue on their own paths of healing.”

FCS Supportive Housing Services

Staff at Whatcom Detox encouraged Jay to get connected with the FCS Supportive Housing services team as they not only help clients get into stable housing and maintain it, but they also help individuals return to parts of their lives that bring them joy.

Jay loves to draw and was encouraged to start drawing again. The amazing top drawing shown here was drawn by Jay in pencil and he gifted it to a friend, and the other pictures display his love of drawing and painting.

Stefanie Carranza, FCS Supportive Housing Specialist, stated, “Jay told me that he’s thinking of maybe opening an art stand in our local farmer’s market, but doesn’t have enough finished pieces just yet. As drawing is Jay’s passion, I’ve been encouraging him continue to pursue it. It’s a healthy way to express oneself.”

Jay shared that the FCS staff supported his decision to connect with outpatient treatment and continue mental health counseling. He had been offered resources before but never opted to engage. Finally, he agreed to participate.

“It’s been very conducive to my recovery and I’m truly grateful for it. I truly feel that I’m at a turning point in my life and am embarking in a new chapter in my path towards recovery. This has opened paths to actually help me live up to my potential and not just simply exist,” stated Jay.

Stefanie shared that since she has been working with Jay, he’s also overcome some recent dangers to his recovery. “Jay made the wise choice to lean on his support system, including his counseling team and myself, and was able to overcome temptations using new perspectives,” she said.

When Jay was asked about the FCS support services he commented, “It’s been helpful to have cheering in the background. Stefanie has helped to give me insight on many different topics in everyday life and provides access to resources like the food banks, transportation, and information regarding different programs. Having a down-to-earth human being to talk with has been very conducive to my recovery.”

Stefanie concluded, “I’m really proud of how far Jay has come in such a short window of time. He’s obtained steady employment with a local grocery store, reconnected with a sponsor and continues to grow every day. Jay’s integrity, self-awareness and ability to trust are valuable tools in his recovery journey.”