"I was in jail for a year…for trafficking meth, crystal meth," said Rose-Marie Pascubillo, IHS client.
After over a decade addicted to drugs and serving time behind bars Rose-Marie Pascubillo is an inspiration to others hoping to jump on the road to recovery.
"They helped me through housing, financial, they helped me with my assistance with housing so now I have my own place," said Pascubillo.
"They" are the Institute for Human Services (IHS) an emergency shelter and service provider that was instrumental in getting Rosemary a job, into college and focused on becoming a parole officer. IHS helps approximately 400 people with getting back on their feet and into a safe place.
"So for example one of our housing programs which assist families with first month’s rent, security deposit, they can help anywhere from 15-25 families in one month." said Minda Golez, Director of Housing and Employment.
The non-profit organization has just expanded. A new service center on Kaamahu Place was blessed and opened to the public on Thursday and quadruples their capacity to assist clients with housing and employment.
"My space before was like two feet radius," said Golez.
The building that used to be a warehouse is located next door to the IHS Kaaahi shelter. Because of grants, donations a special partnership with the landowner a lease has been worked out to provide the new two-story building.
"I was happy to see cause when I first visited the other offices they had six people in one office," said Pascubillo.
Now all 17 employees can sit and work comfortably.
"I think its going to open up more doors for other people out there," said Golez.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
