A Message from the President

August 20, 2019

Fr. Dennis Portrait

Every year, there are hundreds of men who come for Shelter and complete their treatment with the community at St. Christopher’s Inn, then move to the next step in their recovery journey. These men have worked hard to battle their addictions, to work through personal issues and triggers, and to develop coping skills for dealing with life without the use of mind-altering substances. In order to put all of this to use, however, they must move beyond the walls of the Inn and the grounds of the Holy Mountain and that can be daunting.

Successfully completing an addiction treatment program and “separating” from the community are reasons to celebrate, but for some of our Brothers Christopher, leaving the Inn means leaving the safest and most welcoming place they have ever lived. The Friars and Staff offered acceptance and guidance that go beyond professional treatment to help our men with a Spiritual Awakening, always reminding them, “I am a good man, worthy of love and respect.” Now the challenge is to form a personal program of recovery for life “out there “.

To help our Brothers Christopher do this, we have created 12 unique audio spiritual reflections and affirmations based on the 12 steps of recovery, and made them accessible to everyone at any time of the day or night on our SCI website.

When our men separate from the community and take the next step in their recovery away from the safe haven of St. Christopher’s Inn, listening to these audio spiritual reflections daily will help them stay focused on their recovery, remind them to practice the 12 steps, and keep them connected to our Alumni and the tools they learned at the Inn for their sobriety. You can view and say them at www.StChristophersInn.org/12Steps

Peace and all good to you,

Fr. Dennis Polanco, SA
President & Spiritual Director

The nurses are the best part of my day.

The admission process was as fast and painless as it could be.

The medical staff is excellent, they treated me with love and care.

Overall the program and facility at St. Christopher’s Inn is the best, bar none.

Family program is PERFECT please don’t change a thing.

I took part in the GED program and was quite satisfied. I haven’t taken the test yet, but I have very high hopes of passing.

Gained immense knowledge from lectures and treatment plan.

It is very spiritual and I needed the experience.

The care and concern by my counselor and supporting staff shows the love that I didn’t know existed.

Staff is unbelievable, saved my life.

The goals I have reached and the new ones I’ve developed while being here are something of a life changer for me in my future.

I was pleasantly surprised by the existence of the Coffee House. Music is a central and meditative part of my life. The ability to perform for my new brothers here and the staff was unexpected and made this an incredible journey.

I would have nothing if it wasn’t for SCI.

Great people, caring and responsive.

I would like to tell you how thankful I am to you for having this family program available. I want to say thank you for giving me exactly what I needed.

The experience of being here and becoming a member of the Brothers Christopher fraternity has changed my life. Being in the Friars house was a blessing. Their generosity gave me knowledge I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Thank you for the privilege I was given to stay here in your house. God bless you all. I will always keep a piece of St. Christopher’s Inn in my heart.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the hot meals, warm bed and unconditional love you so easily gave to me. I know if it were not for you, I would truly still be a lost soul.

The road to recovery is called Franciscan Way, and the door to happiness lies within the walls of St. Christopher’s Inn.

I never thought someone could care for a drug addict like me. You have shown me that I am worth something. May God bless you a million times.

Thank you for welcoming me in to your home, and granting me a scholarship for treatment. There’s not enough “thank-yous” I could say, so I’m going to show you by staying clean and living a peaceful sober life.

I want to thank you for everything—from my stay here to working in the Thrift Shop. I am so grateful for St. Christopher’s Inn and every staff member that represents this fantastic organization.

I was amazed by the unbelievable generosity of everyone at our Christmas party. A nice scarf and a collared shirt—I have been through hundreds in my life but I have never cared for any of them as I do for these. Thank you for giving me the best Christmas in many, many years.

I love this place. They have given me a place to sleep, food in my stomach, clothes on my back, and a chance at a first-class life. Recovery is here . . . all you have to do is want it!

Today, I am a sober man. I live an honest and simple life. I’m a reliable, employable productive member of society. I have dignity and self-worth and even self-love. All of these things are a direct result of the care and guidance given to me by the Friars and the staff at St. Christopher’s Inn. Some people call it a homeless shelter. I call it home.