Honoring Our Veterans: Brothers Christopher “Then and Now”

November 11, 2020

Today, we honor Veterans Day and express our deepest gratitude and appreciation to all who have served, past and present.

At St. Christopher’s Inn, we are especially proud to celebrate the veterans who have protected our country and freedom, and who have overcome addiction with the same courage and determination.

We’re highlighting several of our veteran alumni, our Brothers Christopher, who came to the Inn seeking healing and now live healthy, clean, and sober lives. Their perseverance inspires us all.

Join us as we share their incredible “Then and Now” photos and words of transformation.

Then
Fearless warrior from Brooklyn with wild fantasies to travel the world.

Now
A fearless warrior with real fantasies of having victory over the world.

Then
I drank myself around the world!

Now
Driven by gratitude and humility.

Then
20 years ago, 90 days of training, and ready to roll as a proud U.S. Coastguardsman. Proud of my service to this great country, but knew nothing about myself.

Now
20 years later, 90 days of basic training at the Inn. The counselors, the brothers, and Sergeant Janet prepared me to handle life’s biggest challenge—life on life’s terms. Now I can enjoy my greatest achievement of all… stay with it, brothers. Thank you!

Then
Served as a Combat Engineer from 1979–1992.

Now
Began a 30-year journey of sobriety in 1995, culminating in a 14-year career with the NYPD and retiring as a Police Lieutenant. “Service is the key!”

All photos and captions were shared courtesy of St. Christopher’s Inn Alumni Association (SCIAA).

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.