For much of her life, Sherrie could not imagine the future she has today.
Her experience with substance use began at an early age and continued for decades. Along the way, she endured childhood trauma, abusive relationships, devastating loss and periods of homelessness. Yet even during the most difficult years, there was a part of her that kept moving forward.
“I went to school. I worked. I was a functional addict,” Sherrie recalled. But over time, addiction took more and more from her. After losing her parents and sisters, her substance use intensified. Eventually, she found herself without a stable place to live, sleeping on the streets and relying on shelters and community organizations for meals and support.
“I was homeless for three years,” she said. “Some days I wouldn’t sleep at all.”
A Moment of Clarity
In 2009, an encounter on a San Francisco street became the turning point Sherrie needed.
During a confrontation, she reacted with a level of anger that frightened her. In that moment, she realized she no longer recognized herself.
“That’s when I knew I had lost my mind,” she said. “I had what they call a moment of clarity.”
Sherrie gave away the drugs she had with her and walked to a detox center. She spent several days there before entering a residential treatment program. It was the beginning of a new chapter, but recovery would require more than simply leaving the streets behind.
Treatment helped Sherrie begin addressing the emotional and physical pain that had followed her for years. Through counseling, classes and consistent support, she began to understand that her past did not have to determine her future.
“They allowed me to see who I could be and who I was,” she said. “They showed me compassion. They showed me love. It was like having a second family.”
One counselor made a lasting impact when Sherrie thanked her for saving her life.
The counselor reminded her, “I didn’t save your life. You did the footwork.”
Those words stayed with Sherrie. Recovery had opened the door, but she was the one choosing to walk through it each day.
Finding Strength Through Community and Faith
After completing treatment, Sherrie was placed in transitional housing in the same San Francisco neighborhood where she had previously used and sold drugs. Temptation surrounded her, but she was determined not to return to the life she had left behind.
She filled her time with recovery meetings, classes and service. She joined the Glide Memorial Church choir, returning to the same church where she had once waited outside for meals. She also became active in Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous.
Music also became another part of Sherrie’s life that recovery helped restore. A professional vocalist, she had lost her music career during active addiction. As she rebuilt her life, she also found her way back to performing. Today, she performs each year at the SF Jazz Center with SF Recovery Theater.
“When you’re in treatment, you have a lot of support,” she explained. “But when you get out of treatment, you’ve got to find some support.”
That community became an important part of her foundation. So did her faith.
Sherrie credits her relationship with God for giving her strength throughout her recovery, but she also encourages those with different beliefs to find something that helps them keep going.
“For those who are nonbelievers, I would say, just believe in yourself,” she said. “You can overcome whatever challenges are put before you.”
On May 16, 2026, Sherrie celebrated 17 years in recovery.
Turning Experience Into Purpose
While Sherrie was in treatment, a counselor noticed her patience and compassion for others and asked whether she had ever considered becoming an addiction counselor.
At first, Sherrie had not. But she decided to pursue a certificate program at City College of San Francisco. That first step became the beginning of a new career.
She continued her education, earning credentials in drug and alcohol studies and community mental health. In 2020, she became a certified addiction treatment counselor. She is also continuing her education with the goal of becoming a psychologist.
Sherrie has worked in the recovery field since 2012. She began as an overnight monitor and steadily advanced through counseling roles. Today, she uses both her professional training and lived experience to support patients at MedMark.
“I know what my calling is,” she said. “My calling is to help change lives.”
Her experience allows her to meet patients without judgment. She understands the fear, shame and uncertainty that can make it difficult to ask for help. She also understands that recovery is not built through one decision alone. It is strengthened through support, accountability, connection and the willingness to keep trying.
“Being able to give back what was so freely given to me is the most beautiful thing in the world,” she said.
From Homelessness to Homeownership
Recovery changed more than Sherrie’s career. It helped her build a life she once could not imagine.
She went from living on the streets to purchasing her own home. She continued her education, built a career centered on helping others and completed an autobiography about her life.
“I went from being homeless to being a homeowner,” she said. “I bought this home all by myself.”
For Sherrie, that accomplishment represents far more than owning a house. It is proof that a person’s circumstances can change, even after decades of addiction and hardship.
Her story does not erase what she survived. Instead, it shows what can become possible when someone receives support and begins to believe that their life still has value.
The counselors who helped Sherrie once told her that she deserved “a second chance at a first-class life.” Today, she shares that same message with the people she serves.
“Never, Ever, Ever Give Up”
When asked what she would say to someone who is struggling and unsure whether to seek treatment, Sherrie’s answer is direct:
“Never, ever, ever give up.”
“You are destined for greatness,” she continued. “You might not see it now, but it’s going to come to you. Believe in yourself.”
Recovery did not change Sherrie’s life overnight. It began with one moment of clarity, one decision to walk into treatment and one willingness to accept help. From there, she continued doing the work one day at a time.
Today, she stands as a counselor, homeowner, student, author and source of hope for others.
Most importantly, she is living the life she once believed might never be possible.