Today we’d like to introduce you to Tanisha Merriweather.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Tanisha. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Growing up my mother and father were in and out of the prison system. I couldn’t even remember what my mother looked like as a child. A memory of mine is at my 5th-grade graduation, my mother showing up and me not knowing who she was. My father introduced us and it was a sad moment for me because I always wanted to know who she was and what she looked like. Only memories I had of her were through letters she wrote and would send me. I remember they always had beautiful cartoon characters drawn on them. I would come up with a picture in my head of the type of person she was through her writing.
As a kid, I would look at magazine and TV and imagine which women would look like my mother the most. It’s funny I did that looking back on it. Eventually, my dad got himself together and got custody of me and my sibling, it was eleven of us to be exact. He even took care of my mother’s child that wasn’t his so we could be together. my father and stepmother raised us.
Being a child to parents that have been in the prison system I always knew I wanted to make a difference and help based on my experience.I saw firsthand how hard it was for my mother to get clean and self-sufficient. Visiting her in and out of different sober living homes, motels and attending meetings with her. I was being a supportive daughter seeking that mother-daughter relationship I always wanted.Fast forward to current years, my mother has been clean and sober for 20 years now and I’m proud of her. We started Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Education Program for families like ours, wanting better for themselves and not just been a victim of our prison system. Men and Women needing that extra push to getting themselves on the right track, knowing that their past doesn’t define their future.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road. We’ve been in business for five years now. In the early stages, we worked without collecting a paycheck because we knew that we were passionate about helping our community and it wasn’t just about the money. We struggled to find employees that shared our same vision and also willing to work for free which was hard. My mother and I worked two jobs just to keep our business running. We worked our regular 9-5 and then Turning Point in the evening. We knew we had to succeed because there are people who needed our help so we pushed through with it and never gave up.
We’d love to hear more about your organization.
Turning Point offers a Re-entry Program which assists incarcerated individuals with a successful transition to their community after they are released. This is a central part of the Obama Administration’s strategy to reform the criminal justice system. Our motto is Restore, Repair and Rebuild. We’re doing our best to make sure ex-offenders succeed once they reenter back into society. Other services we offer are, housing for the mentally ill and homeless, mental health services, court-approved classes, DCFS drug testing, free monthly HIV/AIDS testing and a youth program.
We just launched our 1ST Re-entry House for Women. Our mission is to recover our community through educating, empowering, enhancing, strengthen, and improving women and families personally, professionally, and socially. We are passionate about helping women recognize their needs and potential to be restored as successes in society through our re-entry program. Our services comprised for women transitioning back into society from incarceration, abuse and out of the work scene for many years. We provide a variety of services to help our community. Every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month we offer a food giveaway providing families with food free of charge. We are in the heart of LA right behind the Crenshaw Baldwin Hills Mall.
Our business philosophy provides the necessary tools for a life that will help them become productive agents of society. Our services are offered to individuals, groups, and organizations of all ethnicity and backgrounds. The industry is community outreach, awareness and harmonious development.
What I’m most proud of about Turning Point is our success stories. Families becoming whole again because they went through our program and were awarded their kids back. Helping people find permanent housing and getting a job so they can provide for their family. These are the things that mean the most to us at Turning Point. What sets us apart from others is that we’ve been there too. All of our employees have lived experience because we at Turning Point believe in second chances.
Most proud moment of my career has been being able to build a business with my mother and giving my daughter something to look up too. Even though my mother wasn’t there for me as a child because of her addiction, we’re now closer than ever and continuously working on our bond. It’s a thing great to see my daughter experience my mother’s loving side and know the great person she has become.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Everyone defines success differently in their life. How I define success is by considering what I’ve done, seen and experienced, I wouldn’t be here today if I never learned from my past experiences and wanted to make a change. I realized my mistakes, my problems, solutions and all the critical thinking are what made me feel successful today. I’m proud of where I came from and where I am going.
Surviving, being a businesswoman and standing on my own two feet is what makes me stand up and be proud of journey of life. It doesn’t and shouldn’t take much to look at yourself in the mirror and see success.
“What’s the point of having success but failing at Significance? Yes, chase your dreams and rise to lofty heights in the world. But please remember: greatness comes from living for a cause larger than you. And leaving our world better than you found it.”
Pricing:
- Intake $65
- Parenting class Monday’s 5 pm-6:30 pm $25
- Anger Management/Domestic Violence class Wednesday 5 pm-6:30 pm $25
- Substance Abuse Friday 5 pm-6:30 pm $23
Contact Info:
- Address: 3756 Santa Rosalia Dr. Suite 617 Los Angeles CA 90008
- Website: www.turningpointaod.org
- Phone: (323)296-1840
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: _turning.point_
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