Caritas Family Solutions highlights mother’s journey of recovery and reunification
Illinois mother shares her journey of getting her children back after struggling with addiction
Rebecca was born into addiction. Having watched her mother suffer from it, Rebecca did not know anything other than the environment she grew up in. Eventually succumbing to the same addiction, Rebecca’s three kids were taken away from her and placed into foster care.
That’s when she knew she needed help. With the support and guidance from Caritas Family Solutions, Rebecca has turned over a new leaf.
“I knew how to be an addict, not a mom,” Rebecca said. “My life has transformed since I went to rehab. Getting clean is the easiest thing in the world to do, but maintaining that is the hardest thing I have ever done.”
Rebecca spent over a year in rehab and graduated in November 2025. She has remained clean for nearly two years and after a successful court hearing, two of her children transitioned back to her home.
Throughout the process, Rebecca said Caritas Family Solutions Specialized Foster Care Supervisor LaTrenda Meyer has been one of her biggest advocates and supporters.
“LaTrenda has been amazing and she always gives it to me straight,” Rebecca said. “I am learning every day how to do better and I am so thankful for the support I have gotten from Caritas. Everybody I have worked with has had empathy and compassion and they answer all my questions.”
Meyer said she was very honest with Rebecca, often not sugar coating the reality of her situation. Even with the hard truths, LaTrenda made it clear it was a no-judgment zone.
“I wanted to make sure that Rebecca understood that my job wasn’t to judge her, it was to help her work on the things she needed to do in order to get her kids back,” said Meyer. “At Caritas, we believe in giving people a chance to change and helping them through that process and Rebecca deserved that chance. When all odds were against her, she was willing to fight through it. I’m so proud of how hard she’s worked to create this change for herself and her kids.”
Meyer said Rebecca’s story is an example they hope to share with other parents working to overcome addiction and reunite their families.
“In so many cases, we’ve seen that when people are given a chance and have the right support system around them, they are capable of making tremendous change that can benefit their entire family,” said Meyer. “We love being a part of stories like Rebecca’s because it’s a reminder for anyone facing addiction that change is hard, but it is possible.”
About Caritas Family Solutions
Founded in 1947, Caritas Family Solutions is a nonprofit social service agency whose mission is to strengthen the social and emotional well-being of individuals and families in order to create healthy relationships, loving homes, and strong communities. Services include adoption, foster care, pregnancy care, Intact Family Services, residential treatment for children healing from abuse and/or neglect as well as a youth emergency shelter. Caritas also offers behavioral health services including substance use treatment, professional counseling, independent living and employment services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and mental health housing and supportive services. Caritas serves more than 6,500 individuals annually across southern Illinois from offices located in Belleville, Carterville, Mount Vernon, Waterloo, Olney, Glen Carbon, Alton, and Effingham, as well as satellite locations in Highland and Sparta. For more information, visit www.caritasfamilysolutions.org.
