Such a awesome lady with a beautiful smile,my condolence and prayers to the family

Mary Thompson/Stewpot Community Service

Melanie gave me my first job in a chemical dependency treatment facility at Jolimar Summit Recovery Center in 1992. I was not her first choice and she told me as much during my second interview. That seems funny to me now. Later in 1999 after I had moved to the Jackson area, Melanie asked me to work doing assessments and treatment referrals for nurses who had displayed actions that were possibly due to alcohol or drug dependency. We worked to help nurses find recovery when needed although not always viewed by the nurse as help. In 2005 Melanie had returned to her beloved New Life for Women, a program she had founded in 1988. She asked me to join her in her work there to assist homeless chemically dependent women find recovery. 

Through being instrumental in the founding of two treatment facilities and her dedication to helping other addicts Melanie played a role in saving countless lives. I do not know how my life would look had it not run parallel to Melanie’s in so many spaces. Would I have worked with addicts anyway? Would I have found my way to working with the homeless? Although I like to think the answer would have been yes as I have found both to be my calling, I can not know for certain. I do however know for sure that Melanie Parks made a lasting impact on my life and for that I will be forever grateful. 

With love. 

Stacey