Member Spotlight: John’s Story

“Sometimes, I wouldn’t want my son to be with me and experience this. But I also did not want to lose him in the system.”

Step Up member John, now 57, has walked a long road filled with difficulties beginning with untreated mental health conditions and intensified by many years of drug dependency.

At the young age of 14, during the tumultuous era of the 1980s crack epidemic, John entered the dangerous world of drug dealing. While originally driven by the need to support his family, John eventually started using the drugs he was selling, impacting his life in ways that proved difficult to overcome on his own.

As the years passed, John’s struggles with addiction intensified, compounded by diagnoses of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD, and depression. Through drug dealing, he ended up spending time in prison. His adult life then became a cycle of incarceration and fleeting moments of treatment, primarily received behind bars.

By 2006, amidst a prison sentence, John experienced a moment of clarity. Determined to overcome his drug dependency, he embarked on a journey to sobriety that would define the rest of his life. Three years later, he was released, hopeful for a fresh start.

However, John’s challenges persisted. His attempt to reconcile with his child’s mother ended abruptly when, after he had successfully secured a new apartment for their family, she revealed her intention to pursue a relationship with someone else. This devastating turn of events left John and his son homeless for the first time in 2009.

“The hardest part was not knowing where you’re sleeping,” John reflects on his time spent navigating the uncertainties of life without secure housing. Reflecting on those turbulent times, John recalls, “It was stressful, very stressful. Sometimes, I wouldn’t want my son to be with me and experience this. But I also did not want to lose him in the system, so I kept him close.”

Desperate to survive, while he remained sober himself, he once again resorted to dealing drugs, which ultimately led to his arrest again in 2016. It was during this stint in prison that John confronted the stark reality: drugs had exacted a heavy toll, costing him everything he held dear.

The concrete turning point came when his eldest daughter issued an ultimatum after his final release from prison: if he wanted to be a part of any of his grandchildren’s lives, he needed to change his life. Motivated by this stark wake-up call, John resolved to rebuild his life. He said, “Well, it wasn’t just that. It was a fact that I needed to be clean for myself so that I could enjoy my grandkids, and that’s what I did.” He started on this renewed journey to find a stable home for himself and his newest two-year-old son.

His journey was loaded with obstacles–his criminal record made it difficult to find landlords willing to give him a chance, and faced with limited options, John took a chance on an opportunity to manage a property, only to find himself exploited and then unhoused once more.

The father and son began living in a van for safety. In his search to find a safe and permanent roof over their heads, John discovered 2-1-1, a critical resource that connected him to Step Up. Step Up and its staff embraced John and his son, offering not just shelter but also a supportive environment to rebuild their lives. “Step Up provided more than a roof over our heads; they offered a lifeline,” John emphasizes.

John’s resilience and spirit shone brightly as he embraced Step Up’s housing program. Here, he not only found a place to call home but also discovered a supportive community that played a crucial role in his recovery journey. His case manager emerged as a steadfast pillar of support, offering guidance through challenges and celebrating every milestone with him. Their bond remains strong, with John continuing to visit regularly, ensuring he stays on track toward a stable and fulfilling life.

“It wasn’t just about finding a place to live. It was about finding stability and a support system,” John emphasizes.

Today, John lives independently in his own apartment, a testament to his unwavering determination and the support of Step Up. He has reunited with his family, celebrating milestones like Mother’s Day and taking pride in his commitment to being a strong father for his littlest son. His story is one of redemption and hope, illustrating that with perseverance and the right support, individuals can overcome even the most daunting of challenges.

John remains grateful for Step Up’s unwavering support and looks forward to a future filled with stability, family, and newfound purpose.

John’s story of recovery is made possible in part thanks to the programs and services supported by people like you. To help bring more individuals like John and his family home, make a donation today!