Go to the mobile version of this Web site.

Login | Contact Us | Site Map | Paid archives | Electronic edition | Subscription Questions | Extras

Massaro: Single mom on way to turning life around

By Gary Massaro, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published December 23, 2005 at midnight

Text size  

More News Columns & Blogs

More stories »

Mellow Kitamura is having her best holiday in a long, long time.

For one thing, she's sober, and has been for nine months.

For another, she has her own place.

Mellow, 27, lives at Joshua Station. Longtime readers will remember it was once a shiny Best Western at West Eighth Avenue off I-25. Over the years, it became more decrepit as it changed hands.

Four years ago, Mile High Ministries bought the motel and turned it into transitional housing - naming it Joshua Station.

"It's a place of rest and renewal," said Denise Vaughn, Mellow's family advocate.

Mellow, a single mom, is in a 15-month program designed to enable people like her to stand on their own.

"Before, my future was death," she said. "I had lost everything. I was about to give up."

Mellow had hit bottom, living on the streets, working to get high and then not working when she was high. Another ministry sent her to Joshua Station six months ago.

Now she has a focus. Instead of beating herself up about her past, she and Vaughn are working on her future, setting goals and figuring out how to meet them.

"I want to get my GED," Mellow said. "I want to go to college and sign for deaf kids."

She said she learned some sign language in grade school by watching a teacher communicate with two deaf classmates.

"I want to continue my sobriety," Mellow said. "It's easier now because I know where I came from. And I don't want to go back."

Mellow is working as a receptionist and waitress as she pursues her goals.

The journey hasn't been without its bumps. She had a health setback and needed emergency surgery. While she was out of work, she was unable to pay her rent - $75 a week.

People she doesn't even know stepped in to help. Residents of Holly Creek Retirement Community paid her rent for six weeks.

"The people here are very conscious about giving," said Holly Creek resident Charles Searle.

Helping Mellow was a simple choice, said Searle, 82, who made his living as a home builder and banker in Cortez.

"This certainly was a worthy cause," said Searle.

"That is very great that they'd help me," said a grateful Mellow. "Without it, I don't know what I would have done."

Searle said that sometimes people donate money to agencies but aren't sure if their donations are being used as they intended.

"You like to know that when you give your money, it goes for something worthwhile," Searle said. "This was worthwhile."

Mellow is feeling that way about herself now.

"Before, I couldn't stand myself," Mellow said. "Now, I love myself."

When Gary Massaro listens, people talk. or 303-892-5271