Community Involvement

March 15, 2019

Narcan Training Available

Tyler Weyant

In an effort to save lives and support Opioid Overdose Prevention, the leadership at St. Christopher’s Inn has committed to offering Narcan training at least once a month at the Inn. The training is open to the local community, as well as to family members of Brothers Christopher. There is no cost for the training, however, registration is required, as space is limited. Narcan kits will be provided for all who complete the training.

In addition, St. Christopher’s Inn Narcan trainers are available to meet with and train groups in the local community upon request. For more information on how you can register to attend an upcoming training, or to arrange for Narcan training for a group, please call Tyler Weyant, Narcan Training Coordinator at 845-335-1172, or email him at TWeyant@AtonementFriars.org. Dates for upcoming trainings at St. Christopher’s Inn can be found on the SCI website at www.StChristophersInn.org/Narcan.

Fishkill Rotary Presentation

Fr. Dennis Polanco, SA, President & Spiritual Director at the Inn, along with Kari Willis, Executive Director of Mission Support, were invited as guest speakers at the Fishkill Rotary Club January Meeting. While many in attendance were familiar with St. Christopher’s Inn, they were unaware of the rich history of men in need finding their way to the Holy Mountain of Graymoor, and the radical Franciscan welcome extended by the Friars of the Atonement that still endures 110 years later. Some Rotary members shared how the disease has impacted them directly through the treatment and/or loss of family members, and were eager to explore ways to support the life-saving work of the Friars and Staff at St. Christopher’s Inn.

If you are interested in having someone from St. Christopher’s Inn share information about the history of the Inn, treatment programs offered, or other resources available for people living in recovery, please contact Cindy Gerber, Communications Coordinator, at 845-424-2140 or CGerber@AtonementFriars.org.

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.