Spotlight on Charlie & Star

November 7, 2018

During September, National Recovery Month, the Friars, Staff and Brothers Christopher at St. Christopher’s Inn shared many opportunities to recognize and celebrate recovery. Most impactful was a visit from a 25-year Alumnus to St. Christopher’s Inn, Charlie Cifarelli.

Charlie became a Brother Christopher in October, 1993, and has lived a life of sobriety ever since, crediting the Inn and the Friars with saving his life. Charlie visited the Inn for the first time in 25 years on Friday, September 21st, and shared his story with the St. Christopher’s Inn Board of Directors during their annual day-long planning session. Charlie also shared lunch with the staff, and encouraged them in their work to help so many men find recovery, peace and a life of gratitude. Finally, Charlie met with all the current Brothers Christopher, and reminded them that “They are miracles at work—each and every one of them.” Here is a brief summary of Charlie’s story.

A few years after leaving the Inn, Charlie moved to Nebraska, and made a life for himself, starting out as a corrections officer and working his way up to prison official. Charlie shared, “Imagine a man who was once a homeless alcoholic entrusted with all the keys to an entire prison?!” Charlie led a productive and content life of sobriety. However, his life changed dramatically in August, 2012 when he saw a story about a homeless man who collapsed on the street in New York City after a seizure. When policemen felt threatened by the man’s dog, Star, they shot her in the head, and yet she survived.

The story moved Charlie so deeply, that he could not stop thinking about the homeless man . . . and Star. Not only was Charlie heartbroken over what happened to Star, the story brought back so many suppressed emotions and memories about his time as a homeless alcoholic, his time at St. Christopher’s Inn, and the Friars who helped him.

Charlie reached out to the New York Police Department offering help for the homeless man, and for information on Star. From there he started a year-long process of trying to adopt Star. In April, 2013, Star finally arrived at her forever home with Charlie. Since then, they have traveled around the country together sharing their stories of redemption, healing from old wounds and helping others.

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.