In honor of National Recovery Month and this year’s theme, “Join the Voices of Recovery; Together We Are Stronger,” share your recovery story here and encourage others! Use the form below to tell us how long you have been in recovery, and to share a message of encouragement for everyone celebrating, as well as those who are struggling!
Reflections & Affirmations for the 12 Steps of Recovery
Join voices with the Brothers Christopher as you listen to the audio recordings of custom written Reflections & Affirmations for the 12 steps of Recovery, recorded by Fr. Dennis Polanco, SA, President & Spiritual Director of St. Christopher’s Inn.
A custom-made, 12-knot adjustable bracelet is available as a special symbol of the hard work you have already accomplished in your recovery, as well as the work that will continue, one day at a time. Remember, you are a good man, worthy of love and respect.
All messages will be posted on this website once they have been reviewed and approved. Please note that due to the large number of messages we receive it is not possible to display them all on the page at once. Every message is appreciated and they are displayed on rotation.
"In October 1991l I was brought to St.Christophers by 5 men who knew I needed help. I had been working on Wall St., as a fixed-income bond analyst. I had a wonderful job. I lost it all to drugs. The men bought me a cup of coffee and a hamburger and got me into the car and brought me up. Brother Benny was at the reception center. He took my clothing and threw them away as I had been in the street for weeks addicted to crack cocaine. I was a mess. I had lost my job, my family, everything. I was completely lost and afraid. I remember that first night sleeping on a cot wondering if this was the first step out of my personal hell. It turned out to be. I spent 3 months at St.Christophers inn learning from Bro.Gregory and others. I delved into the 12 steps, I took solace in the chapel regularly, I participated and did whatever I was asked to do. I was then offered a scholarship to St.Joe's in Saranac lake NY. I took advantage of that and 8 weeks later went to a half-way house in Poughkeepsie NY. Sadly I relapsed soon after but immediately went back into getting clean and sober again. I started my life over working at a truck stop cleaning showers and toilets. I went to 12 step meetings twice daily. I put one day at a time to work. Today I have been totally clean and sober since 1995. I owe St.Christophers so much. Saved my life. Today I am a Crisis Counselor at the Veterans Administrations National Suicide/Crisis line helping my brother and sister Veterans. I live in the Finger lakes with my horses, dogs, cats and a beautiful wife. Today I am rich in spirit. I love the Friars and Sisters of the Atonement."
Charles J
September 6, 2019
"Came to THE INN in 2008. Beaten and desperate ,everything was gone I was hopeless and my marriage had taken all it could take ,the addiction had won ,I had to surrender.I was still unsure about recovery but I wanted the pain to stop so I was willing, just a bit to try again after 8 treatments. I did what I had to do in groups and family program and things changed in my spirit ,I had hope..
What a change of heart. I left St. Christopher's and continued with the plan they suggested and went to a halfway house and then to jail 4 months later, not new crimes but the judge considers the circumstances of 3 court visits and me being in THE INN. I had a foundation of faith,hope and acceptance when I got sentenced to 1 year and I was clean and hopeful.
I did my time went back to the halfway house after ,I knew a Higher Power was in play when that plan was put together with the team on that Holy Mountain and I was convinced it would still work for me. And it did. 11 years later I am a homeowner, in college seeking an associate's degree in Human Services from DCC, happily married still to OCTAVIA who dropped me off that day, hurt also. I am forever grateful for the 12 step meetings that came in and gave me info to identify with..
Today I am still clean because of a relationship with GOD ,SPONSOR AND MEETINGS AND THE LOVE AND SUPPORT OF ST.CHRISTOPHER'S"
Nadeem H
September 6, 2019
"I came into St Chris a broken man. Addicted to heroin, homeless, I felt dead inside. I could not let go of the obsession to use and not feel. The staff, Friars and Brothers Christopher changed my life. I became willing to fight. I made great friends that I still have today almost 7 years later. I joined the choir, I acted in the Christmas play. I had many spiritual experiences that changed my life forever thanks to St Chris. Today I am sober and live one day at a time. I am a responsible and happy man with a great family and support network."
Michael
August 28, 2019
"Went in 2001 been sober ever since. Out of the many places I went to this one was where I got it. Their tough love long term program was the best of the best there’s no candy coating going on there. If you are tired of living the life of drug abuse I highly recommend St Christopher’s inn. I still try to go back in the summertime for their annual picnic. Love that place and I owe them everything. God bless!"
Ken
August 28, 2019
"After years of failed attempts at sobriety, and the loss of everything and everyone I ever cared for my life seemed over. St Christopher’s saved my life. Gave me a new purpose. I have been in more treatment centers than I care to think about, and St. Christopher's was not like any other. The love, respect, and spirituality has renewed my faith in God. I am reborn. I am 17 months sober, I am employed, attend meeting and church. I am happy today."
Cliff
August 28, 2019
"Was broken when I arrived.....70 days later when I left I was Spiritually-Filled and am coming up on 5 months of the best sobriety I ever experienced in 20 years of AA. This is the ONLY place I would recommend to get that vital Spiritual Experience and begin a new and truly "Sober" life......not clean....but SOBER."
Terry
August 28, 2019
"18 months sober this April thanks to St. Christopher’s Inn."
Richard
August 28, 2019
"I came to St. Christopher's in September 2016. I had a 43 year drinking career when I got to the Holy Mountain. Today I celebrate 2 and a half years of continuous sobriety. Thank you all so much for your outstanding work and support. May God bless you, and keep you safe. Forever grateful......"
Grateful Family
August 28, 2019
"I want to again thank you for giving our son back to us!! First week in January will be 5 years since we dropped him at your door. We no longer see an addict. We only see the man he was before the drugs. We recommend St. Christopher's to anyone who may need it."
John
August 28, 2019
"I went through St. Christopher's Inn 22 years ago. I just want to say thank you for believing in me when I didn't know how to. For giving me back my dignity and self-worth. With your help, and most definitely the Grace of God, I have been sober ever since. My wife and children have never had to go through the humiliation of seeing me drunk, and for that I am truly grateful. Keep up the good work, and may God bless each and every one of you."
Paul
August 28, 2019
"Thank you For saving my Life 8 years ago!!! I wish you and your Staff all the Best!"
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.
