Mike's Story

Mike has a history of mental illness and substance abuse in his family. After his mother had a nervous breakdown, he was left on his own. With no clean and sober friends or family to turn to, he turned to the only friends he knew - drugs and alcohol. After turning to drugs and alcohol for relief, he soon found himself homeless.

He began a long journey into a dark period of his life. During this time he spent time at Gadenzia House and Girard Medical Center. While in Discovery House he met a peer counselor from The Friends Connection who he tells us served as a big brother to him. His Friends Connection counselor helped him to be able to talk with someone and to learn that there was a better way to live.

During this time he started to venture out with the help of Friends Connection outings. He learned to use SEPTA and started attended Friends Connection events including the dances and bowling nights.

The Friends Connection was his first opportunity to have clean and sober friends. Mike says, "I feel I have learned to grow up through the Friends Connection and have learned acceptance and hope."

Mike enjoys the Friends Connection trips most of all. His favorite trip was to Longwood Gardens. The trip to New York City was his first trip out of the city, and he hopes to be able to travel more.

Mike has also learned to express himself through his art of videotaping Friends Connection events. Come out to a Friends Connection dance and you will find Mike with his camera.

One day when Mike was shopping at a flea market he found a class ring for sale. Mike says, "I bought the ring and wear it everyday to remind myself that I have graduated from my old life into a new clean and sober life."