Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Gatewood-Maxwell.
Hi Susan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My name is Susan G. Maxwell born in Poughkeepsie, New York as the youngest of five children with four older brothers. I struggled with addiction using my first substance at the age of 14 and entering in my first treatment at the age of 15, causing me to become a high school dropout, I earned a GED at Woodstock Job Corp in Randallstown Md, and shortly thereafter I joined the military and now I am a service-connected disabled veteran. I went on to earn two college degrees in Criminal Justice graduating from Georgia State University in 2012. I am a proud mother of four, Jasmine, IBan, Larry Jr., and Lauryn. I am also a grandmother of four DeShaun, Dominic, Mila, and IBan Jr. Today I serve as Program Coordinator at STAND, Inc Home of the DOOR, I sponsor five women, and a member of Open Word Chrisitan Ministries. Addiction to many dark places, but recovery has given me my light back to shine bright. I enjoy giving back and helping others understand that recovery is for anyone who wants. I tell them Recovery looks like me and recovery looks like you.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It was not a smooth road and sometimes I hit a few speed bumps, but I don’t give up or in. There are two significant struggles that happened during my recovery process, one was losing my husband to cancer, and the other one was losing my oldest son to the prison system.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a person in long term recovery and Program Coordinator for STAND, Inc Home of the DOOR. The DOOR is a non-clinical addiction recovery support center and recovery community organization, that offer peer support for those in need of getting their life on track. We walk alongside our peers to let them know if it works for me it can work for you. What I’m most proud of is when we form connections with other organizations believe in what we do. What sets us apart from others are the way we treat everyone with no judgement and we understand. We meet them where they’re at. I am most proud of receiving two degrees in Criminal Justice graduating from Georgia State University. I am known for doing service in my area and always giving back
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
The way people can collaborate with us is to reach out to me and we can have a discussion about the next steps to take. My information is available on our website www.standinc.com, my email is smaxwell@standinc.com, and my phone number is 678-888-1411.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.standinc.com
- Facebook: STAND, Inc
