Who we are
Our mission is to empower women through recovery, providing a supportive and nurturing environment where they can heal, grow, and thrive. We are committed to breaking the cycle of addiction with compassion, accountability, and love. Beyond recovery, we focus on rebuilding lives by fostering life skills, confidence, and connections, enabling women to reintegrate into their communities as empowered, self-sufficient individuals. At Collective Community Solutions, we offer hope and restore lives, creating stronger families and healthier communities for future generations.
My Story
From a very young age, I was shaped by loss and instability. My father passed away from AIDS when I was a child. This loss was pivotal in my early development. For my mother, the grief, social stigma, and immediate responsibility of caring for four young children on her own was more than she could bear. Battling her own substance abuse issues, she abandoned us, forcing my siblings and me into a cycle of homelessness. After a couple of years as an unaccompanied minor, I entered the foster care system. Lacking consistent support or guidance, I transitioned into adulthood without a foundation, experiencing homelessness once again. I lacked role models to show me what it meant to be a successful woman or how to navigate life’s challenges.
My mother’s struggles mirrored those of countless women—facing trauma, grief, and an overwhelming lack of resources. She carried the weight of her pain alone, unable to access the help she needed to heal. In her mind, leaving us in the system felt like the only way to give us a chance at a better life, even as it broke her heart. She believed she couldn’t provide the stability and security we needed, trapped in a cycle of substance abuse and suffering that so many women experience when they’re left without support.
Journey Through Addiction
My battle with addiction began early. Without examples of recovery or support, I turned to alcohol and drugs, feeling alone and directionless. Addiction consumed me, and I nearly destroyed every healthy relationship I had. My addiction threatened the most precious part of my life, my relationship with my daughter.
The shift came when my biological mother, after attending a program for women with histories of abuse, found sobriety and stability. For the first time, I saw the remarkable person she truly was, hidden for so long by addiction. At my lowest point—homeless, couch-surfing, and lost, I realized I was on the brink of losing everything.
One day, my daughter’s desperate plea to know where I was pierced through my haze. I reached out to my mother, finally ready to do something different. That decision marked the beginning of my journey toward healing and recovery.
Recovery & New Purpose
In recovery, I discovered the power of community, accountability, and having a safe space to rebuild. After in-patient treatment, my mother offered me a sober home in San Diego, where I could start rebuilding my life. I had nothing—no car, no financial stability, and a credit score of 450. But I took one step at a time, determined to reclaim my life.
I returned to Bakersfield because my former foster parents, Janet and Brian, provided another pivotal support system. They welcomed me back, allowing me to rebuild and stabilize my life. I recognize that not everyone in recovery has these lifelines, which fuels my commitment to providing safe, supportive spaces for others.
Begin Your Journey Now
My Brother’s Story
My brother and I shared a deep bond, forged through our shared survival of abandonment and the responsibility of caring for our younger sister. The foster care system eventually separated us, compounding the trauma we had already endured.
As a veteran, my brother faced immense challenges with mental health and addiction. He encountered numerous barriers to treatment and resources, all while navigating the pain of family separation and societal stigma.
Watching my brother struggle was heartbreaking. I often wished I could somehow give him the clarity and peace I had found in recovery. But his isolation grew, fueled by the stigma and disconnection he felt.
The cycle of addiction often leaves people feeling discarded and unworthy, driving them further into isolation. For my brother, this was a painful reality.
Losing my brother to suicide was one of the most painful experiences of my life. It was a devastating reminder of how crucial support systems are for those battling addiction and mental health challenges.
Despite his struggles, my brother had a deep desire to help others. He often spoke about creating outreach programs that could reach people who felt isolated, much like he did. His dream was to offer connection and hope through unconventional means.
His passing has deepened my resolve to carry forward his dream of connection and healing, ensuring that others have the support and community he longed for. It deepened my resolve to show up for others in ways that only someone with my experiences can. His death reaffirmed my commitment to creating spaces where people feel seen, supported, and valued, breaking the isolation that so often accompanies addiction and trauma.
My brother’s story is at the heart of Collective Community Solutions. CCS stands for Charles Christian Steeves, honoring his memory and his life motto, 'Nothing but love.' His struggles and dreams inspire our mission to provide connection, hope, and healing to those battling addiction and trauma, ensuring no one feels as isolated as he did.