WE BELIEVE IN CHANGE
Alfredo
An alcoholic for many years, Alfredo had burned every bridge with his family and friends, losing his wife, house and job. Finding himself on the streets in Simi Valley, he started to come to the Samaritan Center. I remember I had about ten friends but they’re all gone now. They died from drinking. For weeks and months we would drink.
I lived in the cemetery for over a year – that was my house, next to the cemetery. And the lady who ran (the Center), she would come out and look for us.”
Eventually, sickness forced him into rehab. After rehab, the Center helped him find a job and a place to live. The Center was a big help to me. There are so many things they’ve done for me besides food and clothes…they helped me take care of old tickets I had. They took me all the way to Oxnard. Not even my brother would do that. Not even my friends. I did them wrong so many times, not showing up, missing appointments, but the Center still helped me out with money to start my school.
Today, Alfredo has been sober for ten years. He is working and living with a family, making new steps forward every day.