Voices of Recovery

September is National Recovery Month. Recovery Month celebrates the gains made by millions of Americans whose lives have been transformed through recovery. This year’s theme, “Recovery is for Everyone: Every Person, Every Family, Every Community” reminds us that no one is alone in their journey through recovery. Everyone’s journey is different, but we are all in this together.

48.4 million Americans age 12+ had a substance use disorder in 2024.
4 in 5 people needing substance use treatment did not receive it in 2024.
69,973 lives were lost to drug overdose in the U.S. in 2025, based on provisional data.
23.5 million U.S. adults considered themselves in recovery or recovered from an alcohol or drug use problem in 2024.

Mark’s Story

I came into St. Christopher’s in May of 2017. I had nothing except the clothes on my back. My spirit was broken, and I had nowhere to go. Something started to change within me during my 3 months stay. I slowly began to see the beauty in the world. My soul was coming to life and at some point, I became willing to change and began to envision a life of recovery for myself. SCI blessed me with hope. Hope is what kept me alive when I was lost. The day I separated I made a meeting the day I left. I have been clean since May 2017 and have an amazing life today. I have a wife with 2 kids, an amazing career and I own my own home today. None of this would be possible if I had decided NOT to walk into those doors that rainy day in May, 4 years ago. I look back on my time there with love and gratitude in my heart and continue to share my experience there with others seeking recovery. -Mark N. (St. Christopher’s Inn Alumni)

A FRIAR'S WELCOME<br><span>Fr. Dennis Polanco, President & Spiritual Director</span>

CONTROLLED BY ADDICTION
Timothy F., Brother Christopher

RECOVERY IS NEVER TOO LATE
Todd L., Brother Christopher

A NEW LIFE IN RECOVERY
Sam C., Brother Christopher Alumni

A LIFE IN SHAMBLES
Larry W., Brother Christopher Alumni

FULL CIRCLE
Daniel S., Brother Christopher Alumni

INDEBTED TO SCI
Anonymous Brother Christopher Alumni

HEART OF RECOVERY
Fr. Dennis Polanco, SA, Spiritual Director & President

TREATING ADDICTION LIKE A DISEASE
Dr. Stephen Shapiro, Medical Director

UNDERSTANDING THE ILLNESS
R. Kevin Douglas, LCSW-R, MPS, Director of Counseling & Shelter Services

OVERCOMING GUILT & SHAME
Ellen Grant, LCSW, CASAC-MC, Assistant Director, Counseling & Shelter Services

EACH PERSON AS THEY ARE
Mike Rizzo – Director of Food Services

WALKING ALONGSIDE THE MEN
Janet Muzzillo – Supervisor, Dining Room

FAMILY DISEASE – A PARENT’S JOURNEY
Suzanne DeCosta, Michael’s Mom

WE ARE THE BRICKS
G. B., Brother Christopher

ODE TO BEAU
Gregory G., Brother Christopher

Last Revised: August 24, 2026

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.

Voices of Recovery

Mark’s Story

VOICES FROM THE JOURNEY

CONTROLLED BY ADDICTION Timothy F., Brother Christopher

RECOVERY IS NEVER TOO LATE Todd L., Brother Christopher

A NEW LIFE IN RECOVERY Sam C., Brother Christopher Alumni

A LIFE IN SHAMBLES Larry W., Brother Christopher Alumni

FULL CIRCLE Daniel S., Brother Christopher Alumni

INDEBTED TO SCI Anonymous Brother Christopher Alumni

VOICES OF TREATMENT

HEART OF RECOVERY Fr. Dennis Polanco, SA, Spiritual Director & President

TREATING ADDICTION LIKE A DISEASE Dr. Stephen Shapiro, Medical Director

UNDERSTANDING THE ILLNESS R. Kevin Douglas, LCSW-R, MPS, Director of Counseling & Shelter Services

OVERCOMING GUILT & SHAME Ellen Grant, LCSW, CASAC-MC, Assistant Director, Counseling & Shelter Services

EACH PERSON AS THEY ARE Mike Rizzo – Director of Food Services

WALKING ALONGSIDE THE MEN Janet Muzzillo – Supervisor, Dining Room

VOICES OF REMEMBERANCE

FAMILY DISEASE – A PARENT’S JOURNEY Suzanne DeCosta, Michael’s Mom

WE ARE THE BRICKS G. B., Brother Christopher

ODE TO BEAU Gregory G., Brother Christopher