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Melissa Chavez - Advocate for Recovery and Change
“My name is Melissa Chavez, and I am a person in long-term recovery.
For me, that means I am no longer enslaved by substances—I show up, follow through, and honor my commitments.
Over the past decade, I have dedicated my career to supporting individuals on their journeys of transformation.”
Melissa Chavez spent 17 years in addiction.
Her addiction began in her youth.
She was a teen mom, having her first son at 15.
Kicked out of school with no education and no real understanding of life, Melissa found herself unemployed and reliant on her child’s father.
At 17, she had her second son.
Still lost, she was a young single parent with a growing addiction and a failed relationship, leading to the birth of her daughter at 19.
Melissa is an intrical part to helping the students at Level Up IOP through case management and co-facilitator of groups.
Melissa continues to tell her story below:
Table of Contents
Cartel & Gang Activity
By this time, my life was entangled in cartel and gang activity while living off the welfare system.
I had always wanted to be older, independent, free from authority, and able to party.
Life felt like a party, and I believed the world owed me something because my childhood had been stolen from me.
I was a victim of sexual assault, an experience that shattered my trust in adults and shaped my distorted view of the world.
I put my abuser away for 18 years, but the damage was done.
My self-worth was nonexistent, and my thinking was flawed.
Turning in My Abuser
As a youth, I was in and out of the justice system, running from my emotions and myself.
Addiction destroyed my relationships, including my connection with my children.
I gave up my three eldest to their fathers, choosing addiction over motherhood.
By 23, I had another daughter, and at 25, a son.
Despite being a mother of five, I only parented two children.
My involvement in an abusive relationship further broke me, leading me deeper into addiction.
I survived multiple attempts to escape, finally walking away with my life and turning my abuser in for sexually assaulting my sister.
Losing My Children
In and out of incarceration, losing my children, and leaving my two youngest with family, my addiction spiraled.
On October 15, 2012, I was arrested on my most considerable charges.
With nowhere to run, I was faced with a choice.
I realized my children should have been taken from me after a raid, and on November 2, 2012, in court, I had a moment of clarity:
I had to step up, or I would lose them forever.
I was released and stayed clean.
I had nothing, but I knew I couldn’t lose my kids.
Odyssey House Changed My Life
I entered Odyssey House Parents & Children on December 27, 2012, and completed the program three years later.
It was the first thing I ever started and finished in my life.
At 31 years old, I finally understood what showing up meant.
My children and I made it.
We went to Life Start, where I learned how to be an adult for the first time.
Over five years, I worked on my credit, gained life skills, and embraced real responsibility.
Major goals that I have achieved: (you can achieve your goals too.)
- I started my career in recovery immediately after graduating.
- Bought my first car.
- Became a certified peer support specialist.
- Purchased my first home.
Proud of My Recovery Journey
“Recovery, for me, means I am no longer enslaved by substances—I show up, follow through, and honor my commitments.”
Over the past decade, I have dedicated my career to supporting individuals on their journeys of transformation.
I have worked in various roles assisting people as they exit the justice system, supporting parents as they reunite with their children through DCFS involvement, and guiding individuals in sober living as they navigate adulthood, often for the first time.
I have taught life skills, including budgeting and credit repair, and I take pride in being resourceful, nonjudgmental, and deeply committed to making a difference.
Continuing My Journey of Education
My highest level of education is 9th grade, but I recently returned to school to become licensed in social work.
My kids are all grown today—27, 25, 23, 20, and 18.
I’ve mended the relationship with three of my children and am a proud grandmother of four.
I am passionate about changing the narrative around recovery and being part of a movement that fosters success stories like mine.
This work is a game-changer that saves lives, provides much-needed support, and creates a win for everyone involved.
“Working at Level Up IOP is more than just a job for me; it’s my purpose.”
I am passionate about changing the narrative around recovery and being part of a movement that fosters success stories like mine.
This work is a game-changer that saves lives, provides much-needed support, and creates a win for everyone involved.
This is more than just a job for me; it’s my purpose.
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