From Darkness to Light: She lost 10 years to addiction, now she’s celebrating four years of recovery, finding joy in everyday life
By: D.K. Wright
Original Article: WTRF
OHIO VALLEY (WTRF) — For most people, Groundhog Day is a fun and quirky holiday focusing on a furry rodent and wintry weather.
But for one Ohio Valley woman, February 2 is her ‘clean’ date, the anniversary of the day she entered recovery.
Now, Ashlie Howard is helping others.
If you have preconceived notions about the kind of person who ends up addicted to drugs, set them aside.
Ashlie Howard was a good student, a high achiever.
But she suddenly lost ten years of her life to addiction.
“She was a straight A student, top of her class, graduated from college. And then moved to Florida and got in an automobile accident and got put on pain pills.” – Ashlie Howard, AmeriCorps Service Member
The decade that followed was a blur.
Now celebrating four years of recovery, she finds joy even in everyday things.
She says even an aggravating day is just fine.
“There’s just beauty to be found in everything and even a mundane day that seems not so eventful is still an amazing day.” – Ashlie
She got an associate’s degree in substance abuse intervention.
At the Mother Jones House, she teaches art to at risk youth and people in recovery.
Her message is hope for the seemingly hopeless.
Redemption is absolutely possible for anyone. You have to put action behind what you want. But you have to surround yourself with the right people. Never let somebody going nowhere take you with them.” – Ashlie
She says a prayer about doors.
“I just pray that the Lord will close doors that need to be closed and open doors that need to be open. And a lot of times I may not even know what those doors are but I have faith that the Lord does, and He delivers.” – Ashlie
Her latest door: she’s back in school, this time studying small business management.
Ashlie says you have to be tough on yourself, but in a loving way.
Ashlie, a Jobs & Hope WV participant from Ohio County, was recently featured in a WTRF story highlighting her journey of resilience and achievement. Since joining the program in July 2021, Ashlie has made remarkable progress, overcoming numerous challenges and seizing opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Through Jobs & Hope WV, Ashlie successfully reinstated her driver’s license and obtained a vehicle through Good News Mountaineer Garage, ensuring reliable transportation. She completed the YWCA WIND program, which helped her regain residency in her own home, and she has since secured employment with AmeriCorps, where she actively contributes to reentry efforts. Additionally, she has participated in multiple training programs, earned various certifications, and recently completed her coursework for an Associate of Applied Science in Substance Abuse Intervention at WVNCC.
Ashlie has also engaged with key program partnerships, serving as a peer coach with the Northern Panhandle Workforce Development Board’s Project Rebound and accessing education and training opportunities through WVNCC. Currently, she works as an AmeriCorps VISTA at the Mother Jones’ Center for Resilient Community, using her experience to support others in recovery. Her dedication, positive attitude, and willingness to give back to the community make her a true “story of hope.”
