Meet Barbara Lasure of Another You

Today we’d like to introduce you to Barbara Lasure.

Barbara, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
“My Past Hustle Created My Passion for Living”

I am a 52-year-old single mother of three, recovering addict and a formerly incarcerated student leader at San Diego City College. Growing up with no place to really call home and having a family with little to no education I am determined to be the first generation to finish college.

Today I am doing just that but the road that got me here has rough. Being a survivor of a severe domestic violence injury led my life to places that only existed in movies. Having survived 14 months in a coma and learning to live life again, many bad choices followed.

Being able to work and take care of myself as before would never happen again, at least not legally. My battle with substance abuse began in order to numb all the pain of the senseless attempt that had been made on my life, it also became a sense of survival. After becoming addicted to pain pills I fell into a depression and lost all hope. This led me to begin selling any substances I could get my hands on.

This choice led me to many unhealthy relationships and the birth of my sons. With more responsibilities, I had to become a true modern day Scarface. My choices did nothing but lead me into county jails and state prisons for over ten years. After my 3rd incarceration in what San Diego calls serving a local prison term of 6 years, I came to the conclusion that I deserved better and my new way of life began.

Working my way into a special dorm at the facility which focused on recovery and past traumas is when my healing began along with dreaming. My first role in leadership was becoming the mom of the dorm, as well as the program liaison between the inmates and staff. When my time was finished I went into treatment and because of my love for recovery, I decided to make that my life’s passion and college was now a goal. But how?

Owing money that I knew I couldn’t pay back I was approached to seek services through the department of rehabilitation This meant having to do mountains of paperwork, getting countless medical records, and having to travel to a different city all of which cost money yet I wouldn’t take no for an answer. I couldn’t understand how probation or parole didn’t have wrap-around services to help those reenter successfully.

After 3 months any funding for housing was gone and the fear of going back to old ways to survive was something that was constant. Now starting my second year in the Alcohol and other Drug Studies program my life is feeling more and more whole. Through this process, I began to see the correlations between substance abuse, incarceration and the disconnection from higher education.

A year ago I was asked to serve on a board for a local Alano club and have become an intricate part of the club. I have been honored for my outstanding services and for going above and beyond. I helped them start a food pantry in the community and took a lead on many fundraisers and events. In my second semester at City College, I was introduced to the student organization the Urban Scholars Union (USU).

Being one of their more active participants I was nominated for the position of president, however, I became their Community Outreach Chairman. Living in a community for re-entry/sober living, I have also represented them in community efforts such as working with the police department’s homeless outreach teams. My latest endeavors are helping build and implement a new re-entry/transitional program as well as working on a statewide organization focused on filling the gaps for formerly incarcerated students in community colleges throughout California.

Having lived a life and struggling through so many barriers who better to be the voice for those already home and those yet to come? Building my leadership skills are very important and I believe that you are the perfect fit and that we both will benefit from each other’s talents. Sharing my story with others in my community as well as students everywhere is something that must be done. I want to be able to share with the world that addiction and incarceration do not have to define who they are today.

To be there for support by helping them through the challenges of dealing with the stigma that our society has placed on them. As well as making sure that just because one has a record or an addiction issue that their lives are not meaningless. We must also be holding our local and state governments accountable for their parts in all of this as they play a large role. From changing the guidelines for those serving time to be allowed to start their path to a higher education immediately not only for those who are serving more than 5 years.

By having laws and guidelines changed so that it’s not impossible for someone who has been previously incarcerated to get housing. Everyone including myself has the right to change their outlook on life but it’s hard when the door keeps getting slammed in our faces and for our past choices or a disease.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it has not been an easy obstacle. When I decided to return to school I had discovered that I had lost my voice. I was fearful of letting others in to my personal space because of the stigmas that were already against me and the fear of the way people would judge.

Everything cost money and it was something I didn’t have. How was I going to pay for this since I couldn’t get finical aid due to past addictions issues and already mess all possibilities of getting any grants? The first thing that went through my mind was going back to the one thing I knew how to make money. Yet that wasn’t an option, so after much research, I found the department if rehabilitation where they have made sure that anything pertaining to the school itself was covered. Yet there was still the problem of no income and it was time to start paying rent and taking care of me.

I was currently living in transitional living and they took a chance on me and to this day even though I don’t live there I am still connected to them in many ways so that they see I am thriving as best I can the honest way. Those ladies, Ms. Rita, Kim Toni and Dr, Taylor not to mention the top ladies of ms Leslie and Lisa who saw something in me and loved me until I could love myself. Always giving me the encouragement when I needed it and letting me see that I was special.

They allowed me to live there free of charge until my disability came through and then I was to back pay. No, I’m not paid in full yet but I don’t run from them and keep them updated on what’s going on

Another You, LLC – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Since my release, I have put forth the effort in changing my life in every way possible.

While I was at The transitional program I had been told about an award-winning program out of NY that believed if you were a drug dealer or gang leader you could run a business.

They were right, the only problem was that I had the wrong product. So after researching Defy Ventures I called and applied and have been extremely active with them. I guess you’re wondering what they do. Well basically transform all of my illegal skills and make them into legitimate ones. Teaching me how to create and build a company from the ground up. Something I had never done before, at least not legally. So the first thing I had to do was figure out a problem and then create a solution. Well, that was easy I thought. The problem, no one ever has enough time.

So I then thought what can I do to solve this problem. and who would best benefit from it? So after doing more research, I realized that busy executives, CEO’s, Presidents and vice-presidents would best benefit from what in mind. So I have created my own company and named it “Another You, LLC. So I guess now your wondering just exactly what is Another You. Well, it is a total wrap around business concierge service. I offer corporate memberships so that companies can include this in their benefits packages.

My goal is to bring some relief into your life so that you can get back to the things that you have been missing out on like family and friends. To bring balance back into your hectic world. Offering everything from personal shopping, errands, gift wrapping, event and party planning, corporate closet overhauls, anything to make life easier for you and your employees.

From making reservations for your important VIP’s or just a simple weekend personal getaway. I want to send you off to work and you allow me to handle the rest of your life. Corporations will love this idea for the simple fact that work. productivity will increase.

Let me be your unburdened and make life simpler allowing you to feel as though you are in two places at once.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The day that I got my LLC and my EIN something that I never thought I would ever have

Contact Info:

• Address: 348 San Felipe Place
  San Diego, Ca 92114
• Website: www.anotheryou.services
• Phone: 619-577-9118 0r 323-746-4119
• Email: lasureb@gmail.com
• Facebook: anotheryou

Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.