FULL CIRCLE

August 8, 2020

“My name is Daniel, and I am a survivor of drug addiction.My dad is 26 years sober, and his journey began at St Christopher’s Inn. It’s funny how life comes full circle because I stand before you today with one year of sobriety that started at St. Christopher’s Inn.

Unfortunately, my story is not unique. I was an athlete living life and having fun. I graduated Yorktown high school and went on to play lacrosse for Binghamton, where I suffered an injury. It was then my life changed. I started abusing drugs, and my behaviors and actions were no longer my own but the actions of a desperate addict.

From January 4th, 2012 through October, 2014, I was in and out of over 24 addiction treatment facilities, but I was never fully committed. I believe Oct 22, 2014 was the first day of my true recovery—the day I first arrived at St. Christopher’s Inn.

On my sixth day there, I tried to leave. I called whoever I could, and asked them to come get me. But nurses and doctors I had never met before were able to convince me to stay. Six days turned in seven; Seven days turned into two weeks, and four months later, I was nervous as hell to leave the place! St Christopher’s Inn, a long-term treatment facility, literally gave me a place to start over from scratch. They healed me physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Rich, my counselor, was a guardian angel; he believed in me and built me up. Father Bill tapped into my heart and helped me reestablish my relationship with God. The whole staff and community made me feel worthy and deserving. They treated me like a person, and they taught me to love myself again. They healed my heart and brought me back home to my family. I am now a person whose opinion is respected, and I am a man worthy of love and respect.

In the last year I have been able to find passion in a new career as a financial planner. The life that has been re-born inside of me could not have been done without the encouragement from my Brothers Christopher. They have filled my heart with an amount of gratitude that has only motivated me to give it back in return. All I want now is to help people.”

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.