A brief summary of who I am: I'm a very sensitive soul, someone who cares deeply for others. At one point, I gave more love to others than I did to myself. I wasn't always lost, but somewhere along this journey, I lost myself and spiraled down into a dark place. At one point the only comfort I knew was numbing myself with drugs. I thought it was numbness and relief, but I soon realized it was hell itself. I couldn’t see a way out and thought I would end up like many of my family members and so-called friends–either dead or behind bars. The dream I had carried with me all my life was covered by dark clouds, and for a long time, I couldn’t see through them. Then I hit rock bottom, and I knew there had to be a way out. So, I reached out for it. I first heard about LIV while I was in treatment. My counselor Josh mentioned it to me. He thought it would be perfect for me because he knew how badly I wanted to live. He believed that given the chance and the right direction I could make it. He knew Leisa and Bre personally and was confident they were the right people to guide me. So, we made that call. I knew this was the right step for me when I prayed about it. Shortly after, this opportunity was presented to me, and I truly felt it was meant to be. In my heart of hearts, I knew that If I wanted this–if I was willing to commit and work on this program–then things would work out as lon as I continued to do the next right thing. After speaking with Bre over the phone, I felt a strong sense of peace and confirmation. I know this is where I want to be. The most helpful part of being at LIV sober living: One of the most helpful parts is that you really have a chance to save without worrying about someone taking everything from you, and you know you are safe. It’s kind of like its own little sisterhood–you are not alone. What made a difference to me while being in LIV?: The staff. Leisa and Bre have both helped me in so many ways and have helped to push me or set me up to help myself by showing me ways where I may have not previously seen a way at all. They have given me the tools to take a chance to make better decisions than before and have taught me new coping skills to everyday living. I am now equipped with appropriate adulting techniques. The changes I have seen in myself: There are so many that I don’t even know where to start–Id can say for sure I am starting to see a woman and no longer a lost little girl. I am now living life, not living life in fear of survivor mode. I am now also looking at my recovery as a privilege and not as a chore. I am so proud of myself for going for my HISET and working. I now have a real chance to get ahead instead of just scraping by and losing hope. I can finally start saving money so that I can make a real change in my life. If I could describe LIV in one word, I’d have to say “difference”.

Before entering L.I.V., my cycle was always the same: get high, go to prison, get out, return to an unhealthy environment, and start over again. For 20 years, this was my pattern. I first heard of L.I.V. from a friend who was in the program. When I finally reached the end of my rope, sitting in county jail and facing a long time in the Department of Corrections, I knew I needed something different—a healthy environment where I could truly thrive. The most helpful part of L.I.V. was that they provided me with a clean and sober household and just enough structure to keep me accountable. That balance gave me the stability I needed to begin rebuilding my life. Over the past three years, I have seen incredible changes in myself. I have learned how to get through life on life’s terms, how to accept correction without anger, and I have been given a strong foundation to continue growing. My biggest accomplishments have been being present for my children, stepping into the role of Housing Supervisor, becoming a Certified Peer Specialist, and most importantly, living free from addiction and prison. If I could describe L.I.V. in just two words, it would be: " Second Chance"

My Journey to Restoration at LIV Recovery Before I entered recovery, my life was spent in the streets and the penitentiary. I did a lot of things wrong trying to feed my addiction and chase that high. I spent nearly 20 years in the Missouri Department of Corrections. After having two years clean, I went on an eight-day relapse that landed me in St. Louis, Missouri. In that moment of brokenness, I called my brother and told him I had relapsed. His response was simple but life-changing: “You can either get clean or lose my number.” He knew someone at LIV Recovery and Sober Living, and by the grace of God, a way was made for me to get into the program. Even just 3–4 days into being at LIV, I was struggling. I had upset the medical tech while asking for my insulin, and I heard he was the one staff member you couldn’t make mad and somehow, I did. The clinical director told me I should’ve been kicked out, but instead asked me if I’d be willing to stay and work through it. That moment reminded me of the scripture: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out.” That was my way out and I chose God’s way. Every staff member I’ve met at LIV has welcomed me with open, loving arms and has been willing to help me at any time. People like Kyle Gibson, Steven Johnson, Kendrick Brown, Andre Mack, Trey Graves, Cameo Jones, Derrick Jones, Amber Killian, Felicia Cavins, Olivia Dixon, and Reneeka Gause have poured into my life. But two in particular Andre Mack and Kyle Gibson truly changed my way of thinking. Andre Mack had almost two years clean, and was and still is a CPS at LIV, when I met him. He had been a house manager here and always told me: “Stay in position. Find out what your assignment is. Trust the process.” That stuck with me. Kyle Gibson taught me how to manage money, set goals, and take action to achieve them. He helped me learn how to use email, open a bank account, and handle things I thought I had lost forever. He even helped me call the prosecuting attorney’s office to set up a restitution payment plan and guided me through recovering a final paycheck from Kansas City. Kyle showed me that I could handle life, one step at a time. Even Joe, one of the transportation drivers, told me something I’ll never forget: “A grateful addict won’t use.” “Just say no and mean it.” I’ve received so much support at LIV that I probably can’t name it all. But what really blew me away was when the staff saw something in me and gave me the opportunity to manage the men’s house. When the new Restoration House opened in North City, I was trusted to go over and manage it and to this day, I’m still the manager there. Since the beginning of my journey, I’ve learned how to set and accomplish goals, think through problems, adjust my behaviors, and most importantly be patient. I know now that no matter what I’m going through, I can come to someone at LIV and get help. My greatest accomplishments since entering recovery are rebuilding relationships with my family, being present in their lives, and holding a job I’m proud of. I now work as a Peer Support Specialist at LIV Recovery, and I’m living proof that change is possible. If I could describe LIV Recovery in one phrase, it would be: “A home of refuge, restoration, and the beginning of a new life.” All of this my recovery, my job, my restored family has been a blessing from God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

My name is Andre Mack, I was born and raised in St. Louis, and I’m a proud father of three amazing kids. Growing up, I had a good life and came from a solid family. But like many, I started experimenting with drugs at a young age — smoking weed and drinking alcohol. What began as curiosity eventually turned into a lifestyle. I got caught up in the streets, dealing drugs, and everything else that came with that life. I spent most of my twenties partying and chasing what I thought was fun — but deep down, I was lost. I first heard about LIV Recovery Sober Living at one of the lowest points in my life. I had a full-blown cocaine and fentanyl addiction. I was homeless, broken, and desperate for change. One day, I saw a tent and thought they were giving away free cell phones but instead, it was people helping others get into treatment and recovery programs. That moment changed my life. I knew I couldn’t keep living the way I was. I was tired of being stuck in the same cycle, and this was my chance to get my life back on track. From the very beginning, the support I received at LIV was what made the biggest difference. Having a safe place to go where people genuinely cared and wanted to help me gave me time to focus on myself and start healing. Ms. Cameo and Mr. Derrick Jones played a huge role in my journey. Seeing people who truly believed in me, who cared about me when I didn’t even care about myself, was something I hadn’t felt in a long time. Their encouragement helped me rediscover my worth and rebuild my life piece by piece. The biggest change I’ve seen in myself since coming to LIV is that I’ve learned how to love again to love myself and to love others. Before recovery, I didn’t think I was capable of that. Now, I’m proud of the man I’ve become. My greatest accomplishment is working at LIV Recovery as a Certified Peer Specialist, in the same place where I once started as a client. I’ll celebrate three years clean this December, and I have my children back in my life. Today, I’m a father, an employee, and a positive member of society, something I never thought I’d be able to say again. To me, LIV Recovery is truly life-changing. It gave me my second chance not just at life, but at becoming the person, father, and man I was always meant to be.