At 12 years old, Michael Cortez took his first steps down a road that would take years to turn around. Born and raised in Costa Rica—where he shared that cocaine and alcohol were easy for him to find—he started using substances before most kids finished middle school. Over the years, addiction followed him across borders and through life changes. But thanks to a life-changing recommendation and the support of the Beacon House, Michael now wakes up with purpose, stability, and a future he’s excited to build.
“I Stopped Working. I Stopped Caring.”
After moving to South Bend, Indiana, Michael continued drinking and using cocaine—until a coworker introduced him to methamphetamines. That’s when everything unraveled.
“I stopped working. I stopped caring about myself,” Michael said. “I ended up homeless. I spent four months on the streets without a job, without food. It was hard.”
But the loss that pushed him to seek real help came when his mother passed away. Grieving and broken, Michael turned to a treatment center in Indiana called Wooded Glen. It was there, through a case manager and a former Beacon House resident, that he heard about the Beacon House program in Louisville.
“They told me Beacon House was a place where people work, help others, and get their life back. That was exactly what I needed.”
Finding Home in a House Full of Hope
Michael arrived at the Beacon House not knowing what to expect—but quickly found friendship, structure, and the support he didn’t realize he was missing.
“Everyone was so welcoming. The property managers—Brad, Delaney, and now Antwan—they’re amazing people,” Michael shared. “Antwan and I started working at the same place and would walk to our job every morning in the snow. I wasn’t alone.”
The program’s structure and community were unlike anything Michael had experienced before, especially the introduction to 12-step recovery meetings.
“We have AA in Costa Rica, but not many people go because they don’t know what it’s about. Here, I learned how to work the steps, and it changed my life.”
9 Months Sober—and Counting
Now several months into sobriety, Michael’s life has transformed in ways he never imagined.
- He got his driver’s license back after many years.
- He bought his first car.
- He’s able to drive others to work and therapy.
- He was able to schedule a hip replacement surgery that was out of reach before recovery.
“Because of Beacon House, my life is finally on track,” Michael says. “I have structure. I have a reason to wake up in the morning. I get to give back.”
A New Vision for the Future
Michael’s goals are simple—but profound. He wants a home of his own. He wants to continue helping others in recovery. And he dreams of returning to Costa Rica to visit friends and family there that he hasn’t seen in a long time.
“One day, I want to work in recovery. I want to be the person who helps someone the way people helped me.”
When he’s not working or attending meetings, Michael enjoys Chinese food, rock music, and recently attended his first concert at the KFC Yum! Center to see Disturbed live. “It was epic,” he said with a grin.
“It’s the Best Decision I’ve Ever Made”
For those who are still struggling or afraid to reach out for help, Michael has a message:
“It’s the best decision I ever made. My life is completely different now. Find a program. Find a sponsor. Work the steps. You don’t have to keep living like that. Things can get better.”
Want to support the life-changing work happening at the Beacon House?
Join us at our 2025 Golf Classic to demonstrate your support or become a monthly donor. Every gift helps people like Michael rebuild a life filled with dignity, purpose, and hope.
