Regina Weller is both pastor of the Foursquare Church in Venice and LAPD chaplain, as is her husband Steve Weller. They are part of the LAPD Homeless Task Force. They are a team who helps the homeless help themselves. These are Regina Weller’s stories. This is number two in the Homeless Stories Series by Regina. Always names are fictitious.

Carol: From the Venice Boardwalk into CLARE Treatment Center

Carol had resided homeless on the Venice Boardwalk for 3 ½ years, and had a pet rat. She was an admitted crystal methamphetamine user.

LAPD Beach Detail Officer Monique Contreras referred this woman to us because she was concerned for her well being. Over the next two months, we spoke with Carol about her family, which was out of state, and more specifically about considering recovery and being reunited with her 10-year-old daughter. She stated she was tired of the danger and sleeping on the ground, and that she missed her daughter terribly but she didn’t know where to start. We asked for her family’s phone number and got in touch with her mother, who said she was hopeful for Carol’s recovery and return.

Carol then consented to the plan we laid out for her: downsize her belongings, find a home for her pet rat, let us drive her to the Rose Clinic for medical testing, and then entry into CLARE Recovery Program which we will pay for. We offered to take care of her pet rat. Upon fulfilling the requirements of the program and recovery, we would assist her to return home.

We stored Carol’s belongings in our facility shed, and she walked to the CLARE Recovery Center on her own on 24 March for intake screening and scheduling. Senior Lead Officer Kristan Delatori and the Chaplains met up with her there to offer support. The interview went well, however CLARE wanted clearance from a psychiatric clinic and info on the medications she might require prior to entry.

The next morning Carol and I drank large vanilla lattes and played 70’s music in the car on our way to Exodus Emergency Psychiatric in Boyle Heights. She was taken in and evaluated and prescribed medication that we later picked up at a pharmacy in Venice.

The following morning, Chaplain Steven Weller drove her to CLARE rehabilitation and she was admitted 27 March for detox and a live-in recovery setting. Carol’s rehab entry fee was generously paid for by the Venice Stakeholders Association.

Her counselor at CLARE informed us that Carol was doing well and had been cooperative in her recovery program. She had plans to return home to her family upon completion of her program.

Update: July 2015, Carol has since moved out of state to be with her daughter, and is still sober.