Individual Skill Development and Enhancement
My name is Charmaine Johnson. I grew up in Milwaukee, WI in a single parent home. My mother had six girls but now she has five due to my eldest sister passing away from cancer. Throughout my life, I’ve always been compassionated about helping others. My mother worked in the Human Service field for most of my life. Her compassion for others allowed me as her daughter to be considerate of others no matter the situation.
Throughout my life, I have seen close family members and friends that struggled from alcohol or drug abuse. The love that my mother showed to these individuals while growing up inspired me to want to be just like her. When I was six years old, I was very close to being sexually abused by a non-relative that was visiting our home. Due to some quick thinking, I was able to escape. At the time of my sexual trauma, I didn’t understand what was going on or what would possess someone to do this to a young child. This trauma led me to believe I couldn’t trust people. I struggled with these thoughts for a long period of time. After I was about 24 years old, I was able to overcome the thought of not trusting all individuals. I learned to be more cautious and aware of my surroundings, along with researching on mental illness.
I have my degree in Human Services. I currently work full-time with AODA clients. My goal is to help assist them with reaching their recovery goals. I am also a certified Peer Support Specialist, ready and willing to work with others to help them regain focus in their lives. In my spare time, I enjoy karaoke, playing cards, and listening to live bands/music.