Lea Clark

Lea says without Choices, her life would be a whole lot duller. “There is always something to stir your brain or make you laugh,” citing she enjoys her time with all the jokesters here.

For Lea Clark, Choices is a safe place for recovery with mental health, a wonderful place to grow and blossom as a human being, and a place that always has something going on. “I suffer with mental health and it is a safe place where I feel comfortable being myself and sharing with others. I’ve gained a lot of positive insight into myself and others there,” she said.

Lea has been a member since 2012. She initially started coming for the AA meetings in the evening. When she found out about the Women’s Group, a place where she felt safe sharing her issues, she started coming in early for the group and would hang around and socialize until AA afterwards.

“Choices taught me to learn to take a breath and breathe before responding. I didn’t used to do that. Emotionally, I’d go somewhere not healthy in my head. (Now), I take a breath, replay what was just said in my head, making sure the message was received as it was meant, before responding.”

Her favorite Choices memory was a sad one, of her and another member visiting a member of her “Choices family” in the nursing home before that member’s death in 2019. “It was so rewarding to be there and share time with a friend I made (at Choices). To see the joy in her eyes and face. Theresa and I became better friends and I was also able to say goodbye to Marcella in a loving and meaningful way.”

She recommends Choices to anyone with Mental Health struggles, calling it a healthy and positive place where she believes everyone cares. “If you take the time, you will find a friend and a new, healthy avenue in your life.” Adding, “And the food aint that bad either,” she laughed.