Rae Ostrowski

​Before I got to Grandview, things were bad. I was couch surfing, hanging with the wrong people, doing whatever to get by. Life was a mess, even though I tried to act like I had it together and living good. I stole sometimes, yeah—but I never meant to hurt anyone. I just didn’t know how to live right. Couldn’t keep a job, couldn’t manage my time, couldn’t follow through on anything.

I had walls up everywhere. Didn’t trust anyone. But then I started noticing how the staff at Grandview showed up—every day, same way. They really cared. That was new for me. That was a resource I didn’t even know I needed.

I used to think a resource was, like, a book or a link to a website or something official. But now I see it different. A resource can be a person. A place. A feeling. It’s something—or someone—that helps. Grandview became that for me. My number one resource.

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While I was in treatment, I started listening more. I let the counselors speak into my life. I leaned on the guys around me. I asked questions. I stopped trying to sound like I had it all together and just told the truth. That’s when stuff started to change. I learned how to set boundaries, how to communicate, how to actually look at my family stuff without running from it.

Grandview helped me build a real foundation. They loved me when I didn’t even like myself. And once I started building that confidence, I added more resources—I went to meetings, got a sponsor, found a job that keeps me busy and on track. But it all started at Grandview. That’s where I learned I’m not alone, and I don’t have to do this by myself.

Now I’ve got structure in my day. I’ve got people I can call. I’ve got tools I actually use when life gets heavy. That’s what resources are to me—stuff that helps when things get real. I stay connected too. I go back for alumni panels, I talk to the new guys. I show up, even on the hard days. Because I remember what it felt like to be brand new and unsure if this was even gonna work. I try to be what I needed back then.

These days, life is simple—and I like it like that. I wake up with purpose. I go to work, I stay focused, I stay grateful. I’m doing meetings, Bible study, working on communication. I’ve got goals. And I keep my higher power involved in all of it. I’m not trying to be perfect—I’m just trying to be better than I was yesterday. That’s it. That’s the move.

So, if you’re new in recovery or even just thinking about it, my advice is this: tap into your resources. Ask for help. Stay close to the people who care. Let someone in. There’s hope. Sometimes it just starts with one real conversation.

And if you feel like nobody gets it—trust me, I do. And I’m here if you need me. 

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