Weekend cook recalls his journey with homelessness

June 25, 2018

In just one year, Carl felt like he lost everything. Several family members passed away, he lost his job, and the mother of his four children ended their relationship. That’s when his battle with alcoholism began. “I felt like I had no one to go to, so I turned to the bottle and hit rock bottom.”

Carl remembers sleeping on the streets and waking up with a drink in his hand. His children couldn’t rely on him anymore. “My kids always have, and always will, come first.” He decided to make some major changes.

Carl learned about St. Patrick Center from a relative and was immediately placed into our Shamrock Club day treatment program to help him achieve sobriety. “I remember my case manager had high expectations for me. She made sure I put in the work to achieve my goals.” He says group treatment eventually become everything to him. “It was like looking in a mirror and opened my eyes to what was really going on in my life.”

Carl also volunteered in the Shamrock Club. Little did he know it would lead to employment as the Shamrock Club weekend cook, where he has been for 14 years. “I love giving back to people in need.”

Today, Carl feels good and has more than 15 years of sobriety. “My family and I have stronger relationships than ever. They’re proud of me now.”

Thanks to Delnita with the Client Welcome Center for contributing to this story.

To view more success stories and videos, visit www.stpatrickcenter.org.

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