New Opportunities student, Dimitria Uqdah, is making a positive impact in the community by working as a Registered Alcohol and Drug Trainee at Freehab Teen Project. She attributes her current success to her motivation to change her life and being diligent in pursing her goal to become a certified Drug Councilor through CCAPP. She credits maintaining her connections to the officers in the M.E.R.I.T program as being another helpful factor. Ms. Uqdah was released from Twin Towers Correctional Facility (TTCF) last June and with the support of New Opportunities staff, she put together a resume and got a job as a Registered Alcohol and Drug Trainee at Freehab the Teen Project within her first month back in the community. Currently, Ms. Uqdah carries a case load of 9 clients and supports them with their treatment needs such as weekly individualized meetings, treatment planning, and resource coordination. Additionally, she runs support groups in the areas of substance abuse, relapse prevention and parenting. Ms. Uqdah’s focus and determination has certainly proven that hard work does pay off and no doubt her continued success will inspire other individuals to stay on course and work towards reaching their goals.