By Madeline Bates
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Last year, Rebecca Santa Cruz was in an inpatient program at Phoenix Rescue Mission to help heal her addiction and her relationship with her two sons after being apart from them for almost a year.

She has not only completed multiple treatment programs, but has helped other clients do the same and is excited to celebrate Mother’s Day and the journey it took to get there.

This Mother’s Day is different for her because May 10, 2021, was the day she lost her mom. After that, depression and addiction controlled her relationships before she found a path to recovery.

“It’s not a sad occasion for me because I get to be with my children, and counseling has helped me grieve her loss and now I get to celebrate her while letting my kids celebrate me,” she said.

In 2018, Santa Cruz, her husband and eldest son moved in with her parents to help care for her mother, who was ill. After losing her mother in 2021 and having her second son the same year, she became overwhelmed and depressed. After 10 years of sobriety, she turned back to drugs to help cope.

“It gave me the energy to work full-time and to be a full-time provider for the house, and I thought I could control it,” she said.

In 2024, Santa Cruz’s dad died and she cut ties with her husband after he also started using drugs. Then she asked a friend to help her take care of her children. After being alone for several months, she decided to make a change and look for help.

“I saw a mother and son using drugs together, and I just had this feeling in my heart. I couldn’t judge her, but I knew I didn’t want that to be me,” she said.

She spent time at different treatment centers until November 2024. In November 2025, Santa Cruz successfully graduated from the 12-month Transformation Outpatient Program at PRM and applied to be a ministry trainer. She got the position and finished it in February, where she is now looking for a job outside of the organization to help support her and her boys.

Phoenix Rescue Mission assists individuals and families experiencing homelessness, addiction and food insecurity. Unlike many rehabilitation centers, PRM is a state-licensed child care center that assists with reunification for families with children ages 6 weeks through 12 years old.

Phoenix Rescue Mission operates on a four-step plan, starting with treatment and a social detox from those outside the center. After several phases of treatment, clients can have visitors and continue with family therapy and treatment. Santa Cruz was able to have her children stay with her after just 40 days of treatment.

Now, Santa Cruz says both of her sons receive individual counseling, and she has just finished a six-month paid position in ministry training, where she has been able to help clients in similar situations reconnect with their families and start their healing journey and path to recovery.

For Santa Cruz, who has two sons, ages 7 and 5, the family was able to come back together after months apart.

“It was the happiest day I’d had in a long time,” she said. “Not being around your kids feels like a hole in your heart and when they aren’t there, you’re empty.”

For staff at the organization, helping other moms is one of the best parts of the job.

“It truly is an honor and a privilege to help these moms and their families,” said Menolia Cuff, who goes by Mo and is the child care manager for Phoenix Rescue Mission.

Cuff, who is also a mother, said staff have been able to see 14 successful reunification cases with mothers who were separated from their children by the Department of Child Services. She said seeing the success and healing is her favorite part of the job.

“We’re here to partner with them and support them in creating those moments of enjoying time together,” Cuff said.

For Mother’s Day, Phoenix Rescue Mission has many activities and gifts for mothers, including a lunch and a homemade gift from each child for their mom.

“This is a day that helps honor the fact that they have a chance at rebuilding the relationship with their kids. Often this is a moment of identifying hope in what can feel like a hopeless situation,” she said.

To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.

Madeline Bates
Reporter | Tempe/East Phoenix

mbates@iniusa.org

Meet Madeline

Madeline Bates joined Independent Newsmedia in 2025 as a Phoenix/Tempe reporter. Before graduating college, she spent a semester in Washington as a Congressional reporter in the first 100 days of the second Trump administration. But local news is where her heart is. She is excited to be in Phoenix full time and exploring new parts of the city (as long as they have AC).  

Community: After living in East Phoenix for two years, she fell in love with Paradise Valley, Mesa, Tempe, and everywhere in between. She recently discovered the beauty of the South Mountain Reserve and hopes to continue exploring should the weather comply.

Education: Madeline has a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and a certificate in Political History and Leadership.

Random Fact: She is a self-taught nail tech. No, she cannot do your nails.

Hobbies: Hiking (when its not 100 degrees), fiction writing, cooking, baking and trying new coffee shops.