Feeling sticky-hot in her gown, Ashley Miller walked across the stage to receive her diploma from Metropolitan State University. She never felt prouder. Along the way to her bachelor’s degree in human services with a concentration in addictions counseling, she received just one B grade—her lowest. Ashley now sports some shiny Latin—Magna Cum Laude.

Just a few years ago, Ashley was in the process of another great life achievement in the face of big challenges. She was in a residential addiction treatment program at Aspen Center, which she now credits with saving her life and her family. Even so, after she maintained sobriety and was presented with an opportunity to move into our Joshua Station program, she initially declined.

“I just didn’t feel ready for a next step,” Ashley remembers. But when Keishla Wenaas—another mom she had befriended at Aspen Center—was also accepted at Joshua Station, they decided to take the jump together.

Fast forward, and Ashley now feels ready for next steps galore. She and her boys have moved into their own place. She’s entering a master’s program in clinical behavioral health with an emphasis on addictions counseling. After she graduates and obtains both her LPC and LAC licenses? “Who knows, there’s a good chance I won’t be finished with my schooling! I have sights on a PhD.” 

Ashley’s proud she did all this while in recovery. With very active young twin sons. While working on her own trauma healing and life goals through the Joshua Station program. While giving back as an intern at Aspen Center, and now employed as a Parent Advocate for clients at the Office of Respondent Parents’ Counsel, State of Colorado.

Because Ashley is just… Ashley (!)… she sits on the review board of a scholarship fund she helped create, called We Believe in You. She wants people in similar circumstances to have a chance to pursue their gifts and graduate debt-free, as she has done.

Ashley says she’s grateful for all the loving support for her young family at Joshua Station. “We didn’t go without, and we were encouraged every step of the way!”

“I’m in awe that Ashley finished a four-year college degree in less than four years, graduating with high honors,” says her Joshua Station Family Advocate Rhiannon Smith.  “Ashley came to Joshua Station incredibly motivated to make a way for herself and her family. She is an example of someone who absolutely made the most of her time at Joshua Station.”