Moira; East House Alumna, Shares her Story of Inspiration at our Annual Hope & Recovery Luncheon

Hello. My name is Moira, and I am an East House alumna. During one of the darkest and most desperate times in my life, East House gave me hope and, in many ways, helped save me.

I grew up in a middle-class family in the Finger Lakes, the youngest of five children. My father was an engineer, and my mother was a teacher. As an adult, I earned a degree in economics from the University of Rochester, got married, worked at Paychex, bought a house, and had all the things I thought defined success. But by my mid-30s, everything started to unravel—my marriage ended, I lost my job and my home, and alcoholism took control of my life.

After ten years of struggling, I reached the point where I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. That led to a DWI, a warrant, jail time, and eventually rehab. As strange as it sounds, jail and rehab were a relief—places where I physically couldn’t drink anymore, even if I wanted to. My addiction had consumed everything.

While rehab gave me sobriety, East House gave me a chance to rebuild.

I entered East House’s Pinny Cooke House for women, and it was exactly what I needed at the time. It allowed me the mental space to dry out completely and start healing. Pinny Cooke was also a beautiful home in a supportive, welcoming environment. It made me feel valued during a time when I doubted my own worth.

After about a year, I transitioned to the Substance Use Disorder Apartment Program, and eventually to East House’s Independent Living Program. I was given my own fully furnished apartment. It wasn’t just a place to live—it was truly a home. The new pots, pans, and fresh towels were reminders that I mattered.

East House never dictated what my recovery should look like. They asked, “How can we support you?” and let me move forward on my own terms. In total, I was an East House client for about eight years. And now, where am I?

With their support, I went back to school, enrolled in a Respiratory Therapy program, got my license, and now work at Highland Hospital. In just a year, I became financially stable—something I never thought I would achieve again.

There’s no way I could have gotten here without East House. They were my lifeline during my darkest times, treating me with dignity, respect, and compassion. East House was a fundamental part of my recovery.

Today, I’m living a full life—I have a car, a dog, and I’ve even planned my first vacation to Iceland. I’m happy, I’m in recovery, and I’m deeply grateful to East House for the role they played in my journey.