In the corridors of the Beacon House, there’s a beacon of hope named Brad. A participant-turned-Resident Manager, Brad’s story resonates with the very essence of healing and second chances.
His recovery journey – and his journey with us – began in 2019 when he joined our Residential Program. Little did he know that this first step would lead to the beautiful life he has now.
Fast forward to May 2023, and Brad found himself donning a new title of Resident Manager, entrusted with the responsibility of guiding and nurturing residents who are in a critical time of life so familiar to him.
With an innate understanding born from his own journey, Brad connects with residents, offering not just oversight but genuine empathy and support. His days are a blend of enforcing program rules and fostering an environment where residents feel heard and understood. Through daily interactions and personalized support methods like emotional check-in forms and goal setting, Brad ensures that no one inside the Beacon House feels like they’re on the path to recovery alone.
Reflecting on his own transformation, Brad’s words resonate with authenticity and gratitude. “I can relate so much to the guys… I’m wanting to see them do well like I have done,” he shares, a testament to his unwavering commitment to pay forward the support he received.
When he shares his history, he talks about wrestling with alcohol dependency. Thinking there was no other way, he found himself at a crossroads. He wanted disability assistance for seizures that he found out were actually caused by his extreme alcohol use.
“All I did all day was search for alcohol and drink it just to keep myself from dying.” His search for legal and financial services led him to the recommendation he needed most. Although he felt no desire to change, he was directed to a detox facility and then referred to Beacon House After Care.
He joined our After Care program just in time because he’d been evicted from his home during his stay in rehab. Besides the need for a stable place to rebuild his life, he also remembers having no clue how to stay sober after rehab. He was scared and filled with questions. The shock of the new experience of sobriety even made him feel like ending his life.
When he entered our program, he found himself surrounded by a community of individuals navigating similar struggles. Brad discovered the transformative power of camaraderie and shared experiences as well as accountability.
“The biggest thing that helped me create lasting change in my life was being around a group of guys that had been able to overcome the same situations,” Brad reflects, highlighting the pivotal role of peer support in his journey. “Because we are a close group and also tested regularly for substance use, there’s really no way to hide it if we’re not sober.”
Beyond his current staff role at Beacon House, Brad’s life has blossomed in a myriad of ways. Armed with a newfound sense of purpose, he pursued higher education, which he started even during his time as a resident. He graduated as a temporary drug and alcohol counselor. Today, he holds the title of Peer Support Specialist, extending a helping hand to those embarking on their own paths to recovery. He also sponsors several people in recovery.
His own sponsor connected him with Habitat for Humanity. Eventually, he became a beneficiary of a new home built through that nonprofit. Many of the guys in the Beacon House program jumped in as the volunteer crew to build his new place. He just recently moved in so it was only fitting to get a dog too!
For even more good news, Brad is celebrating five years of sobriety this year. This milestone is a testament to his resilience, his unwavering spirit, and as well as the transformation a program like ours offers men like him.
As Brad looks back on his journey, he sometimes feels awestruck. “There’s no way you could have told me that I’d now be a drug and alcohol counselor.” He recognizes that all the situations of his past led him to this time in his life and for that he’s thankful.
