An Empowering Road to Recovery 
A year ago, David* often greeted the morning by turning to his addiction: cocaine.
Today when David wakes up, his routine is much different. He turns almost immediately to read his personal mission statement:
To challenge myself; To mentor and honor my children
To respect myself and all others, regardless of the outcome
Most importantly, to always worship my God
Peace be the journey
They are words David is determined to live by, so much so that he has them laminated and taped to the mirror in his room at Catholic Charities’ Exodus Residence.
David came to the Exodus Residence as part of his recovery treatment program, utilizing Exodus’ supportive services to help him get back on his feet. Today, David celebrates nearly a year of sobriety from a drug that he said once “took over my life.”
Overcoming a 12-year addiction required David to learn new tools that would help him make wise choices. That’s one of the main objectives of the empowerment classes offered at the Exodus Residence – to help individuals empower themselves with the skills they need to reach places of greater stability.
Empowering Individuals with Skills for the Future
“The empowerment classes were excellent. They helped me discover myself and how to be true to myself,” David said. “I broke everything down so I could start from scratch and build up – and staff helps me with the road to recovery.”
“Building up” for David means working part-time and beginning a vocational rehabilitation program that allows him to go to back to college. He hopes to earn a certificate degree in health and fitness and become a personal trainer.
“I challenge myself now – that’s the most important part of me becoming empowered,” he said, adding that he’s excited to have a second chance at life.
“I feel like a kid graduating from high school, starting to begin his life,” David said. “And I think anything is achievable.”
*Name changed for privacy
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