Spring 2023 Newsletter

There's a Reason

Ashton didn’t grow up with exposure to any type of God or spiritual presence. But he always believed that there was something.

“Going through my active addiction, I still believed, but I just thought that my deity, God, or whatever it was, was mad at me. That they didn’t like me very much. In recovery it’s turned more into a relationship, like a really strong bond. What I would imagine a parent-child relationship would be like. Growing up, I didn’t have that at all. I understand now that my creator was always with me and looking back, there were times that I should have been dead. A couple of times I did die, and they brought me back against statistics and odds. It wasn’t until I fully surrendered to my creator and admitted that I couldn’t do it on my own anymore that this heaviness I’ve carried was lifted.

Today, I believe that my higher power will take me where I’m supposed to be and put me with the people I’m supposed to be with when I need to be there. I recently awoke hearing a voice – it was so powerful - saying, ‘You are here to give hope. You survived so that others could see that it was possible.’”

Over the Moon

Before Step Denver, Jeremy couldn’t hold down a job due to his drinking. Today, he is working as a Composite Technician at Lockheed Martin. That’s right, he builds spaceships. He credits his recovery for this win because without sobriety, his fear of failure always outweighed everything else.

“If I was still actively drinking, I wouldn’t have tried because I knew that I’d fail. I’d screw it up somehow. Being sober gave me the confidence to apply, to try. This job is a huge part of my recovery. I can’t go back to drinking and using. I have way too much to lose.”

Work Hard, Play Hard

“Just going to get f****ed up with people around the corner, that was my social life.” Before he came to Step Denver, David didn’t have a strong community to depend on. Today, he’s someone who has stepped up to help build community here. “It’s hard at first, walking through those doors and listening to all the rules. It can be intimidating. I just want to give a little bit of comfort and hope to the guys.”

One of the eight areas of wellness Step teaches and emphasizes is creating a healthy social life. We also teach the men how to be there for each other (peer recovery). David has taken that to the next level. In his free time, he has been bringing residents together to play basketball at rec centers, have pizza and movie nights, and even shows up with ice cream for the house on occasion. “We can go out and have fun still. 99% of this program is working on recovery, but there’s still a little wiggle room to do things you didn’t get to do when you were drinking and using. We can still have fun and get sober at the same time.”

Jeremy

David

Damage Undone

Restoring physical health and wellbeing, after years of destruction, is a vital part of Step’s program. Jacob had no idea just how monumental this task would be. What he thought was just hip pain turned out to be Avascular Necrosis: the death of bone tissue due to a lack of blood supply. A key cause? Excessive alcohol use. So, before he even turns 30, Jacob will be getting BOTH of his hips replaced. What’s amazing, is that Jacob’s recovery is allowing him to truly take care of himself, because he is capable.

“In the past, this would have been the end of the world. It has been daunting, and it’s a lot, but now I know that I can handle it and that it will be taken care of.”

Happy, Joyous, and Free

Physical fitness/health is often one of the first things to go when someone is in active addiction. After 10 months of sobriety, JJ has become more active and is getting back into the things he used to enjoy. Specifically, he’s skiing again.

“It brings me back to when I was younger, when I wasn’t drinking. You’re up in the mountains, it’s carefree, and you’re not worrying about anything. It just feels good to do it sober. It’s just enjoyment. I can see it again. How fun it is.”

Southern Hospitality

108 days ago, Randy took a leap of faith and applied for a program 1,566 miles from home – that’s how desperate he was to change his life and achieve the recovery that had eluded him for decades. After three whole days on a bus from Charlotte, NC to Denver he settled into his new home. Since then, he has made the people here family and is treating them accordingly…

Growing up, Randy’s mom and dad always took him and his siblings to church. The night before, they would prepare a meal and have the whole family over. Recently, he decided to bring that tradition to Step When he told our Director of Programs that he wanted to prepare a big Saturday feast and asked if Step could provide the food, the response was, “Sure, for how many people?” Randy responded, “The whole house!” That weekend, Randy prepared a classic southern meal: fried chicken, pork chops, mashed potatoes, collard greens, and cornbread. The food was delicious, but the fellowship was even better.

“Nobody went to another room. We all ate together at the table. We got close.”

Later that month, while residents were celebrating their sobriety milestones, Randy received Step’s special Peer Support Coin in recognition of his service to his brothers.

Randy

Breaking the Cycle

Joshua’s priorities are in order. Previously motivated by the terms of his probation, he’s now working a program of recovery so that he can rebuild himself and adequately be there for others, including his 13-year-old daughter. She may be headed down the same path, already smoking weed and facing legal consequences for a recent assault. His daughter needs him and when she calls - because he’s sober - he answers. “I’ve been through a lot of that already, and so I know what she’s going through.” For years Joshua was unavailable and checked out. As a result, when he would try reaching out his daughter wouldn’t talk to him. Today, Joshua is stepping up and parenting. And he’s doing it with a clear, sober mind. “I can’t stop her from doing anything. All I can do is remind her what the consequences will look like if she continues. We have a relationship now and I’m really grateful.”

On Solid Ground

Angelo started his journey here back in 2020. He spent four months in the Primary Facility, and another 18 months at Step’s Sober Living. Since September of last year, he’s been living on his own in an apartment with his name on the lease, for the first time in his life.

The tools he uses on a daily basis to thrive in his independent living started with the self-sufficiency and accountability implemented at Step. It continues because he is still meeting with his sponsor, going to 12-step meetings, and leaning on the support system that he built while in the program.

“You’re not going to be at Step forever, so when you do leave, you’re going to need that outside recovery community. I think that’s the most important thing.”

Look Who's Giving

Lamont entered Step in June of 2020. He successfully transitioned into his own apartment and is currently working full-time in property management as a leasing manager.

Through his hard work and determination Lamont saved up enough money to purchase a new car. Instead of trading in his older vehicle, he donated it to Step Denver.

1:1 Donated vehicles are sold at auction. Every one vehicle donated gives one man a safe place to call home while they work to recover.

“Step Denver gave me a chance when no one else would, and for that I am truly grateful. Step showed me what recovery is and how to make it possible in my life. I wanted to give back by donating my vehicle… it was my way to pay it forward and to give men like me the opportunity to rebuild their lives.”

Vehicle Donation

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