Nearly every week, Deana Zaehler is reminded of her “old life.” As a client accounts specialist at the Phoenix Center, she meets people seeking the same help and hope she once found at Greenville County’s local provider of substance-use-disorder treatment.
“I had lost custody of my children, and my grandfather had just passed away,” Zaehler said. “I was his caretaker, and he was a big part of my life. Essentially, I had lost my whole purpose and had nowhere to go. Growing up around here, I probably passed this place every day but had no idea what it was.”
Zaehler was pregnant and actively battling addiction when a former client told her about Serenity Place, the Phoenix Center’s residential facility, which houses up to 16 women and 32 children and provides child care so mothers can receive treatment in a structured environment. Shortly after entering the program, Zaehler’s 3-year-old son came to live with her, and three days after giving birth, Zaehler moved into “transitional housing,” continuing her treatment with intensive outpatient care.
“Having my children with me gave me the motivation I needed,” she said. The staff at the Phoenix Center not only supported her recovery but also helped her navigate the difficult process of regaining custody.
As her stability grew, Zaehler turned her focus to preparing for the workforce. The Phoenix Center partners with SC Works to provide job-readiness training, mock interviews and career guidance.
“I was scared of how rejection might affect me and nervous about putting myself out there, but I took advantage of every resource they offered,” Zaehler said.
Her persistence was rewarded as she landed a job at Chick-fil-A, where she applied the structure and skills she learned at Serenity Place. Within a year, she returned to the Phoenix Center — this time, as an intake receptionist. She has since earned two promotions, become a certified peer-support specialist, and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in social work.
Her daughter, now 21, is her biggest supporter. Her son, 15, “has seen both sides of Mom,” and is also proud. The younger children don’t remember the darker days, but Zaehler says all four of them are thriving in a new, healthier life.
The Phoenix Center leads by example, hiring people who are living proof that its programs are effective. Employers interested in hiring may contact Amanda Hadsell at ahadsell@phoenixcenter.org. For general information, visit phoenixcenter.org and familyeffect.org.
“I’m in a place now where I can share my story and how the Phoenix Center helped me,” Zaehler said. “It takes time to rebuild your confidence after being so broken; however, this is where it begins. I want employers to know that our clients are driven and grateful for an opportunity to prove themselves. With the right support, we can become some of the best employees they’ll ever have.”
