Executive Update

November 7, 2018

Serving as the Executive Director/CEO of St. Christopher’s Inn for the past 15 months, in partnership with Fr. Dennis Polanco, SA, the President & Spiritual Director, as well as the St. Christopher’s Inn staff and all the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement has been a blessing.

Like so many, my life has been personally touched by the opioid epidemic, and I have witnessed first-hand the devastating grief from the loss of a loved one to overdose. The struggle with opioid addiction is real. This disease has claimed too many lives. At St. Christopher’s Inn, our unique model allows us to provide the best opportunity for successful recovery for every Brother Christopher.

Over the past year, it has become very clear that the Inn’s model of providing shelter, food, clothing, primary medical care and spiritual counseling through the hospitality of the Friars, while concurrently providing addiction treatment by professional staff in an OASAS licensed facility, is a model of success. The Brothers Christopher who find hope here, as well as the SCI alumni who return to share their stories of recovery on the Holy Mountain, are proof of this success every day.

During September, which is National Recovery Month, a 25-year SCI Alumnus, Charlie Cifarelli, visited the Inn. This was Charlie’s first time back to the Inn since he left in November, 1993—he has been sober ever since. He was able to share his story with the Staff, the Board of Directors, the Brothers Christopher and to thank the Friars and staff of SCI for saving his life. What a wonderful testament to the ministry of Fr. Paul and the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement.

To be serving side by side with the Friars and staff of St. Christopher’s Inn, combatting this disease is both a challenge and a privilege as we continue our progress together.

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.