From Tears to Triumph with Guest Carol Levine

My name is Carol D. Levine. I was born in Pearl River, NY to a very wealthy, but dysfunctional family. My grandfather was a very well known florist who was Mayor of Westwood, NJ, and also rubbed elbows with people from Hollywood. 

My mother and father worked for him in his florist business. Both my father and my grandfather were alcoholics and very abusive to their wives. I saw much bloodshed between parents and grandparents. My mother was all of 93 pounds and my father was 240 pounds. I was very fearful that I would get hit. My brother 5 years my senior would run and hide. My father had hit him. Furniture smashed, vases broken, and knives were thrown. This is what I witnessed. My mother and father didn't know I was watching. 

At age 6, y mother left my father, and my mother placed me in a very distant Aunt and Uncle's house. My mother paid for my so-called care. My uncle molested me about 2 weeks after I moved in. He told me if I told on him, he would kill me. I believed him because he killed my Aunt's bird. My abuse lasted for a year and a half. I told, and my mother moved me from the nightmarish house. 

 got certified in alcohol and drug abuse--through the Board of Health in Trenton. Attended Princeton University for courses needed. I took courses in behavior management, dysfunction in the home, goal planning, etc... Later, I worked at Greystone Psychiatric. I passed the state exam and became a certified State Psychiatric Technician.   

I got counseling through a prayer group at a good Catholic Church. They encouraged me to work in social services and helped me be a part of the Ray Way Lifers Program---"Scared Straight. " I started out working with troubled teens. Today I work with troubled youth when asked, and adults.