Geoffrey’s role at Beacon House is multifaceted. As the Director of Outreach Services, he spearheads educational initiatives in the community, emphasizing the significance of after-care in the recovery process. He tirelessly engages with different organizations, from hospitals and jails to detox facilities, building partnerships and spreading awareness about the support offered by the Beacon House.

Geoffrey also wears another hat as the Lead Resident Manager, overseeing the well-being of residents, and leading the other managers in the program. He helps foster a supportive environment for their journey in sobriety. His interactions with residents are marked by empathy and understanding.

His journey to joining our team began with his own journey with recovery. Raised in Indiana, he spiraled into a cycle of alcoholism that began at 16 and culminated in a seven-and-a-half-year prison sentence. It was during a subsequent brush with the law that Geoffrey confronted a pivotal choice – embrace sobriety or face the prospect of incarceration once more.

“I didn’t want to get sober. I just wanted to stay out of prison.” 

So, he negotiated through his lawyer a plan to go to an after-care program after detoxing, which seemed much better to him than “getting locked up.” This is when the Beacon House entered the story.

Initially skeptical, after a couple months in our program, he realized how critical it was for him to change his mindset and lifestyle. Just before he graduated, the Beacon House team offered him a role on staff and he has remained in that role along with wearing a few other hats since then.

When he’s not working in our facility, he enjoys cars! As a skilled mechanic, he has souped up many of his own cars and has found a way to turn this passion into another way to work and give back. On the side, he offers discounted mechanic services to individuals in recovery.

When asked how he thinks the Beacon House program made a difference in his life, he shared two reasons: Accountability and Structure. 

He also experienced what he calls The Brotherhood.

“I never trusted anybody and had no friends. When I came into the house, they often checked in with me and asked if I was ok. I thought they wanted something from me but I found out they generally cared. It showed me not everyone is out to get you. It’s a brotherhood that really cares. Plus, it also gave me structure. That’s what I needed. Period.”

Reflecting on his transformation, Geoffrey acknowledges the pivotal role Beacon House played in his life. The program not only provided him with the tools for sobriety but also instilled in him a sense of self-worth and belonging, laying the foundation for a fulfilling, sober life. He didn’t know how to love himself and he shared that our program and people showed him how. 

Experiencing genuine love and respect for yourself and others is so important to the human experience. We’re moved to know this rings true for him.

Today, Geoffrey is continuing to work hard and build a beautiful, sober life. He recently bought a house with a nice garage that allows him to do his mechanic work.

In his own words, “They didn’t just save my life. They genuinely saved my soul.” He now feels it’s his obligation to give back all that he can. We definitely see him doing that every day.