By Nels Johnson
The Marin Independent Journal
NOVATO, Calif. — High on heroin at 15, Toni Botai wasted her life as a drug-dealing addict for four decades, spending time in and out of prison.
“Before I knew it, my whole life passed me by,” she said. “That drug took my youth, my adulthood, and I allowed it.”
But with a little help from Marin County Probation Officer David Cole, Botai has turned her life around, going clean and sober and getting a job, car and an apartment and becoming “the happiest I have been in my whole life.”
The story of Botai’s journey, and the reflections and accomplishments of two dozen others once mired in the world of drugs, alcohol, crime and abuse, are posted along with their photographs on a novel “Wall of Change” in the lobby of the probation department at the Marin County Civic Center. Included are comments from probation officers saluting the sobriety, job, social and lifestyle milestones of their clients.
“The Wall of Change is a way of recognizing individuals who have made significant positive changes in their lives, while being on probation,” said Cole, who along with other officers nominates clients to a committee that determines whose milestones are worthy of a spot on the wall.
The program honors positive lifestyles and motivates behavioral improvement.
“The wall is something that others see while walking into our lobby,” Cole noted. “People see for themselves the changes that can actually occur.”
The wall also celebrates the unheralded but critical work of probation officers, a special corps of all-purpose public safety officials whose jobs embrace the skills of law officer, social worker, educator, therapist and confidante, as well as navigator of the network of agencies offering help.
The wall is among the latest innovations at a Civic Center department that has won acclaim from the state as a “high performing” agency, high praise from county supervisors, and top scores from employees in workforce surveys. The department employs about 108 and operates on an $18 million budget that includes Juvenile Hall.
The Wall of Change program, an idea pitched by Chief Probation Officer Michael Daly and put in place by a probation team headed by Cole, has become so popular that clients are clamoring to be included.
“We have clients walking in saying, “How do I get there,’” Daly said. “People are saying that if they can do it, I can do it,” added Cole.
Participants with troubled pasts are proud to be honored for accomplishments that indicate they are on the straight and narrow after years of turmoil.
“It made me feel good,” said Tawnie Pearson, a 34-year-old Marin City single mother, noting she was proud to see her story and photo posted on the wall after she worked with Cole following repeated drunken driving convictions to become clean and sober, regain custody of her children and get a job.
Pearson said she couldn’t be happier with services offered by Marin County. “I got connected to the services that really made a difference,” she said. “In Alameda County, they never offered these services,” she said. “I’ve come a long way.”
“That’s what we want to do, provide services,” Daly said. “It’s easy to take someone to jail,” he said, but the test of a good probation officer is putting someone on track for a healthy, meaningful life.
Examples among the 28 clients featured on the wall include:
• Julius: “I had been in and out of prison for over 30 years ... When I was released from prison this last time, I made a decision to make changes in my life. With the assistance of the Marin County Probation Department, I have been able to turn my life around ... Today, I live a law-abiding life.”
• Jay: “I am 52 and currently on probation for domestic violence. Being homeless and a practicing alcoholic ... I ended up in the hospital with a 1.3 blood alcohol level ... I realized I did not want to die this way so I asked for help ... I can’t say enough about my probation officer, Melissa Davis.” Davis reported Jay celebrated 14 months of sobriety and “is looking forward to seeing his grandchildren” for the first time.
• Jhona: “I had been kicked out of numerous treatment centers ... Luckily, I was accepted into Center Point ... My life now is so amazing, I’m blown away every day. There are a lot of people I have to thank for standing by me, but one in particular is deputy probation officer Susana Tabunut.” Tabunut said Jhona is sober, has a job and is “one of my biggest success stories.”
• Lauren: “I have struggled with my meth addiction ... I was finally able to get clean thanks to my probation officer, Lucy Brown. I am thankful she kept me in jail for as long as she did, because I was able to get my mind clear and realized that I wanted to change.” Lauren has enrolled in school and has a job. “If you work hard and devote yourself to change you can be successful,” Brown said.
Botai, who started on the road to addiction with a dose of heroin at 15, now exults in being clean and sober. She has some advice for those facing drug, alcohol or other problems.
“Get help sooner rather than later,” she said. “Don’t let other people influence you ... You can always say no.”
Having a spiritual belief helps, as does having a Marin County probation officer, she added.
“I want to thank officer David Cole who had faith in me and believed in me.”