RESIDENT STORIES
Broadway Recovery Service is proud to celebrate our resident Jeremy’s six months sobriety anniversary. Jeremy stated that Broadway has aided his recovery by, “providing me with an environment of structure and accountability where I could make recovery a priority and grow as a person in recovery. I am surrounded by others in recovery, and we help each other through the highs and lows of early sobriety.” Getting honest with himself about how devastating his addiction was to those who love and care about him has been the most difficult part of the journey of recovery for Jeremy, but he was able to see through his actions and continue to heal. Jeremy shared words of encouragement to help others in their journey: “Continue to push toward the solution of recovery no matter how lost or hopeless you feel. I once felt exactly that way, and with the help of BRS and the recovery community I have found hope, joy, and purpose in my life. "
Jeremy
Broadway Recovery Services would like to congratulate our former resident Jack Smith on over a year of sobriety! When Jack first started his journey, he mentioned that he was, “only 35 days away from sleeping on a piece of cardboard behind a dumpster,” and couldn’t be more grateful to Broadway for giving him a new lease on life. While Jack had only been a resident at Broadway for two months, he has remained at a satellite house for the remained of his recovery. Jack said that through his recovery, “I now have a sponsor and I have a working knowledge of the 12 steps. I've been through the steps and continue working on them daily.”
Jack S.
Broadway Recovery Services is also proud to share the story of our resident Darrel, who has sustained his sobriety for the first time in over 30 years! Darrel tried to get sober for many years and couldn’t do it on his own. The impact that Broadway had on Darrel was evident when he said, “BRS loved me when I didn't know how to love myself. They (BRS) took me in at a point in life where I had no other solution except jails, institutions, or death and they accepted me when society had completely lost all hope that I could recover. BRS taught me structure, self-respect, dignity, self-worth and spirituality. BRS also worked with me to obtain the proper medical and mental health care I so desperately needed. They strongly encouraged me to make meetings, find a sponsor, find a home group, and work the 12 steps of recovery. They housed me, fed me, even clothed me when I had nothing. BRS put me in an environment that has a no tolerance policy when it comes to drugs and alcohol. Through this, I know have accountability and a safe environment.” Darrel was able to repair relationships with his family and children, and is loving the person who he became!
Darrel
Broadway Recovery Services would like to congratulate our resident Jack on his six-month sobriety anniversary! After getting sober in late December, 2020, Jack states that, “BRS has strengthened and broadened my sober support group and it also has given me much-needed structure in my life.” Jack stated the biggest challenge he has overcome in recovery was surrendering to a higher power and a program of recovery, where he said that from these challenges he can now “take pride in the man I am striving to become rather than dwelling on my past shortcomings.” During his stay, Jack also rediscovered his love for sports and physical activities, including working out and MMA. Jack shared words of sincerity to encourage others in their journey: “The best advice I can offer anyone suffering from addiction is to stay humble and open-minded, and to take the suggestions given by 'old timers' and the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous.”
Jack
Broadway Recovery Services is also proud to announce that our resident Kevin, is celebrating his one-year sober anniversary! Kevin came to Youngstown for a fresh start and a new way of life, and through his hard work with Broadway, that’s what he found. Since joining the program, Kevin has been able to obtain and sustain employment and found belief in a higher power. Kevin said, “the people at BRS and the counselors at Thrive are the best I've ever seen. They really care about us and go out of their way to help. I'm really grateful for everything they have done for me since entering the program.”
Kevin
Aaron has been a living sober as a resident of Broadway Recovery Services since January, 2021. Aaron, who describes himself as “malleable” attributes this quality of being easily influenced and pliable as factor in allowing him to adapt to his new community and routine of sober living. According to Aaron, the hardest part of recovery thus far has been “letting go of the misconstrued idea of what I believed my life should look like.” Thankfully, Broadway was able to provide a “solid routine to follow while building a sturdy foundation for my journey.” He bravely shares a few words of encouragement to those who are on the same path: “Addiction takes over our entire lives. It destroys our bodies, clouds our judgement and leaves us confused whether we are good or bad people. As hard as recovery can be, it clears our minds and gives us the ability to be a bright light in a dark world. It’s okay to be afraid of the hard work in recovery but be courageous and do it anyway!” We wish Aaron continued success and happiness in his journey of sober living.
Aaron
Chuck started his sobriety journey December 5, 2020 and became a resident of Broadway Recovery Services one month later. He said that Broadway helped aid in recovery by, “showing me how to live, providing acceptance, building a network of sobriety, introducing me to support groups and teaching me how to give back.” We couldn’t be prouder of the brave steps toward sobriety Chuck has taken. According to Chuck, trust has been the most difficult step in his journey to recovery, yet he’s learning to trust himself and others around him again stating that one of the most rewarding aspects of sobriety is “starting to believe in other’s words!” He bravely shares a few words of his own that others can believe in, his advice and encouragement for others suffering from addiction: “Give recovery a chance and the benefits will prevail. Help is available (all types). Be patient and listen and trust!”
Chuck
“My name is JD, I'm an alcoholic and addict. Before I began my journey in recovery I was not living, just merely existing. In a moment of clarity and bravery, I decided to pick up the phone and "the road of a happy destiny" led me home! I became a resident of Broadway House in October 2019. After 69 days sober I became an assistant manager, then house manager shortly after.
Broadway Recovery Services has helped me by giving me purpose. Not only am I lucky enough to be in the small number of people in the ranks of Broadway Recovery Services' staff, but thanks to my boss's encouragement and assistance, I am also a peer recovery supporter and a case manager with a CDCA certification at a counseling service.
The most rewarding part of my recovery is helping newcomers on a daily basis. Nothing brings me more joy than to watch someone come in from rehab, grow in their recovery, move on to a satellite house or even out on their own, then return as members of the growing support group available to newcomers.
My advice to anyone thinking about seeking help and to those in early recovery is to live each day as its own entity. Learn from your mistakes and celebrate your successes, but dwell on neither. For each day is a new beginning and a new story to tell, and it is never too late to change your plot!"
JD
“After being a year clean, my mindset is so different than it was before. Broadway Recovery Services, Thrive Counseling Warren and 12-Step Groups have helped me establish a conscious contact with God and a better self-worth. Addicts and alcoholics aren't necessarily bad people. Sadly, most are good people with a bad disease. Addiction is a spiritual sickness that rots a person from the inside out. Broadway Recovery Services has allowed an environment for me to be sober, connect with God and heal from the inside out.
I'm grateful to be alive now. We (the residents) teamed up with the Mahoning County District St. Vincent DePaul Society and helped give back to the community, focusing on those less fortunate. After being in the less fortunate category myself, I now had the opportunity to give back. This has allowed me to see that I have worth, as I can help in small ways, be around sober and productive people, and live a life that is worth living. To anyone reading this and considering donating to Broadway Recovery Services, I will let you know personally that you are helping change people's lives for the better and it is a worthwhile endeavor. Sometimes people get lost and need help back up. Broadway Recovery Services, Thrive Counseling Warren and 12-Step Groups all give people a hand up.
Think of it like this: If you feed a hungry person a fish dinner, you have fed that person for a day. If you teach that person how to fish, you will feed them for a lifetime. I am truly grateful that the people from Broadway Recovery Services, Thrive Counseling Warren and 12-Step Groups were willing to believe in me and provide the much-needed help to heal and grow back into the person God intended me to be. Thank you all."
Mark
“I will always be grateful for my experience at BRS. When I had nowhere else to go BRS took me in. I remember feeling completely accepted for who I was and had hope for who I could become. Throughout the course of 11 months I was living at BRSI learned how to meet life on life’s terms. I learned simple things like how to get up on time, shop for groceries, communicate respectfully with others, take criticism, and follow- directions. Without the men in the house showing me the way, teaching me how to live life sober, and to holding me accountable none of this would be possible. BRS showed me a way of life that I’ve never experienced before. Without BRS and the 12 steps I would not be here today. Since I’ve transitioned into independent- living I’m employed full time in an amazing career, own my own home, I’m still involved with a 12 - step program, and I freely giving back what was given to me. Life is awesome!"
Kasey C.
“When I moved into BRS I was the definition of broken. I had nothing but the clothes on my back. I felt hopeless, self- destructive, and was on the verge of death or incarceration. The men at the house were quick to help me! The only conditions were to be willing to follow the rules and take- action. At BRS I was required to participate in 12- step recovery which forever changed my life. Today I can maintain employment, wake up on time, keep up on all bills including a new car payment, and have a valid license to drive that car! I learned how to manage my money and budget for life on life’s terms. I will forever be grateful for my experience at Broadway Recovery Services."
Randy W.
“I will be forever grateful for my experiences at a Broadway Recovery house. The structure and atmosphere were very beneficial to me in early sobriety. Many of the living skills I developed play a key role in the happy sober life I have today. It also provided me with a strong support group that I am still close friends with. Staying at a Broadway Recovery house was one of the best decisions I ever made."
Bobby S.
“During my month long stay in residential treatment I heard about sober living, and specifically heard of BRS. After inquiring for more information, I decided to give it a shot. I had tried numerous times to go home before going to BRS, but never acquired the solid foundation of recovery I needed to maintain long term sobriety. After moving into BRS I had to conform to their program which at first seemed to be lots of trivial rules. I realized after some time those rules were there to keep me accountable for my own recovery. I started to change slowly and once I saw newer residents coming in felt obligated to lead by example. Helping others has become second nature, this life was freely given to me why shouldn’t I do the same in return? I will always be grateful to BRS for giving me the tools I needed to become a better man. Thank you BRS."
Terry L.
PARTNER & SERVICE WORK
As part of Broadway Recovery Services’ recovery process, our residents are encouraged to participate in volunteer and service projects with area organizations. If you own an organization, or know of an organization, in the Youngstown area that is in need of volunteers, please contact us!
Youngstown Blue Coats
This past winter, the Youngstown Blue Coats generously donated coats, hats, boots and gloves to our men in recovery to our residents in recovery.
St. Vincent de Paul
Each week, our residents serve meals, stock the pantry and assemble grocery packages for Mahoning County community members in need.
