Because you helped, they CAN help.
These are the stories of Step Alumni affecting the lives of others. We tell you often - it's worth repeating - the ripple you create is beyond measure.
TAKING IT TO THE STREETS
Eight years ago Jacob Merrion was staying under a bridge where he awoke from a blackout, beaten and in need of medical care. It was at the hospital that he started his journey to Step Denver. Jacob understands what it's like to be in the throws of addiction with nowhere to turn. Today, as head of our Community Outreach efforts, he's on a mission to reach men who are in the same shoes he once was. The offer: same day admission, no cost to enter, warmth, safety, structure, and freedom from addiction.
In addition to street outreach, Jacob spends his days visiting detox centers, shelters, hospitals, and jails; making sure men who are ready find Step Denver and gain immediate access to recovery. In the first six months of this role being in place, Step had a 52% increase in new residents entering the program. "I am grateful to be able to use my experience of homelessness and hopelessness to connect those who are going through the same challenges find a community like Step. I hope that by sharing my experiences men can find the courage to change!" - Jacob
Knox & Nathan
A DIFFERENT KIND OF RECOVERY
A little over three years ago, Chris Jones was a resident of Step Denver. Today, he’s sober and has built a good life in North Carolina. We recently caught up with Chris and learned of his time volunteering to provide disaster relief to families in Kentucky. Less than two weeks after the tornado hit in December, Chris and his boss drove 12 hours and got to work helping in any way they could. The trip wasn’t pre-planned, and they weren’t getting paid. They simply saw people were suffering and decided to take action. Here’s what he had to say about the experience:
“When we checked into the hotel, we didn’t see any damage. Someone told us to cross the bridge and when we did, it was like a war scene. Utter disaster. The emotions… it was an eerie feeling. “We started working at the fairgrounds and there was so much coming in that they were distributing supplies across Salvation Army, Samaritan’s Purse, and other groups in the area. One day you’re organizing food, diapers, and hygiene items and the next you’re cleaning up scrap from buildings. But at the end of the day, the end goal is all the same." When asked how being sober impacted his ability to be of service to others, Chris shared: “I was able to open my heart and actually feel something. In active addiction we don’t want to feel. Being in recovery allowed me to not be afraid of the emotions of everybody, and my own. Because I am sober I was able to feel the experience – sorrow, sadness, but also the strength. It’s not a matter of how you feel though because it didn’t happen to you. You have to completely let that go and just be there for people. You’re there to help. “Going there for the right reasons is key. I think if I weren’t sober I would be doing it for the wrong reasons. With me not having anything to gain, I actually got to take in the whole aspect of community. It was beautiful. You were family.
“There were kids handing out sandwiches to the people who were there to help. They don’t show that stuff on the news. It really hit home and made me think about how lucky I am. These kids have nowhere to go, probably had nothing for Christmas, and the parents have them out giving us food for helping. It was heart-warming." Chris has been through a great deal of suffering and struggling, and has overcome a lot in his own life, but he had an honest and humble view on the subject: “The difference between what I’ve been through and what they’re going through is that in a way, I chose my path. I also chose to get out of it. But these people, they just came home from work one day and their choice was gone, ripped from them. This was a time where people needed us, and it was something I’ll never forget.”