There are many reasons why people falter, and perhaps as many why they recover. Yet there is no denying that recovery can happen when hope is coupled with opportunity, and that the recovery of each individual or family benefits the entire community.

For more than twenty years, the Interfaith Housing Association (IHA) has been providing both hope and opportunity to this area's individuals and families, who, by virtue of mental illness, substance abuse or domestic hardship, have temporarily lost their ability to lead productive lives.

IHA, through a skilled professional staff and a broad network of caring community volunteers, has helped them regain their footing by providing temporary housing, food and clothing, casework, medical assistance, and job information, training and placement: all leading to greater self-worth and independence.

Steve

Steve grew up in Westport. His father, who was both alcoholic and abusive, ultimately committed suicide. Steve had problems in school because he was dyslexic, but the dyslexia was not diagnosed until he was well into adolescence. He drank heavily in high school, and even more so after graduation. His father had left him with a small trust fund to put him through college, but Steve spent all of the money without finishing even one semester of college.

Over a long period of time, his mother and stepfather bailed him out of crises, but finally they lost patience with him. In his early 30s, he ended up in IHA's Gillespie Center. He began attending AA meetings daily, thrived under the attention he received from the staff, and ultimately got a job and turned his life around.

About two and one-half years ago, Steve entered Linxweiler House, IHA's halfway house for men in recovery. Steve continued to progress, and last spring moved, with another Linxweiler House resident, into an apartment in the Black Rock section of Bridgeport. He still works; he continues to be sober; and he checks in with IHA staff weekly. Through his struggles, Steve ultimately learned that he is a valuable human being. With renewed hope, and with the support of IHA, Steve built a new and more productive life.

A Family In Need

Carol came from an upper middle class home, right here in the heart of Fairfield County. When she was thirteen her father left. Carol's mother was an angry alcoholic who drank and smoked three packs of cigarettes until the day she died. With no supervision at home, Carol started drinking and smoking pot in seventh grade. By the time she was fifteen, cocaine had been added to the mix. Eventually she started using crack and supported herself as a prostitute. She then lost custody of her one-year-old son and was determined to get him back. Losing custody was a reality check.

She came to IHA because she wanted to get her life together - she wanted to regain custody of her son and make a good life for him. She stayed at Hoskins' Place for a short time until Ellen, our case manager, was able to find a two-month residential recovery program for her. Carol got sober, returned from treatment to IHA's Hoskins' Place and resumed contact with her child. However, custody was denied the first time because she was still technically homeless. When space became available at IHA's Bacharach Community, she finally obtained custody.

Carol got a job as a secretary and within a short time she moved into her own apartment. She was able to get a full scholarship for day care at a highly rated program. She continues to work full time. She regularly attends a 12-step program and weekly support groups. Carol knows she is a survivor - but she doesn't just want to survive: she wants to be a good mom. She feels "she can do anything" and for the past two years, with IHA's help, she's demonstrated that.