My Nonprofit Reviews

I was invited by my roommate to come to the Beacon House Block Party on August 10th 2002. My intentions were set on food and a DJ dance. When I arrived I saw my friend Robbie in the back of the Beacon House. He said I looked horrible and messed up. I agreed. He told me he was an Alumni of the house and told me I should get into the the House asap. I new he was right, I told myself I needed to really get sober and do it differently. He bought me a hamburger , hot dog and a soda; gave me two dollars to put in the gas tank. Told me to come back tomorrow and ask Bill or Andy to do whatever it took to get a bed.
I showed up and talked to the Director Louie. They didn't have a bed , but they put me on the wait list. I was to call every day until a bed came available. I went back to my sober living in Long Beach and called every day from the pay phone there. I quit my job. Finally on August 20th they said there was a bed available. I immediately said, "can i get lunch first them come to the House?" They said, "If you don't get here in an hour then I would lose my bed". I packed up all my clothes in my car and drove with my roommate Brian to the House. When I arrived I told my roommate Brian to keep my car. That I didn't want it anymore. I was given a bed in the main house. But first I had to fill out an application for acceptance. I remember reading at the the top . "Are you willing to go to any length for you Recovery?" I checked Yes and filled the application.
I thought to myself, " I'll give it a try, but my track record is usually 90 days or less" I always went back to drinking for the past 3 years. I showed up in Long Beach in 1999 to do my Parole and get my life in order. But I kept relapsing. I went to Acton Rehab, Stanton Detox and another rehab G.O.D ministry. Nothing ever worked for me. I was too set in my old thinking. I never went through the work with a sponsor.
I told myself I would do my best to follow the rules and get a sponsor and do what they said and not leave until I graduated rehab and go to onsite Sober Living. After a few weeks I heard an alumni of the house speak and I pocketed my pride and asked him to sponsor me. I was totally all in. I didn't want to do the prayer thing , but eventually I did start praying morning and night. He relapsed and I asked Dale to help me pick a sponsor. I went through the steps over my first 5 months. The house showed me how to help the new guys, by asking how they were and how I could help welcome them. I started to make friends and went on house events and helped the community. I learned how to do commitments in meetings and around the house. I wanted to leave a few times and the senior guys really helped me stay. After 9 months in the house I was on the Transition list. I graduated and moved into Channel View. I asked Bill if I could move to Park View , since it was next to the Pit. It really helped me. I went to Harbor Occupational Center and took a class in Computer Networking. I learned how to fix computers and networking skills. I found that I loved taking them apart and fixing them. I used this talent to help others in the house and troubleshoot internet issues and stuff. After 2 years in the house I was directed to put my resume on Monster.com and look for work. I found my first tech support job with VerizonDSL. I passed the tests and placed my paperwork in to transition out of the Sober Living. An Alumni helped me find an apartment in Long Beach, since I didn't have any rental history.
I started going to meetings in Long Beach and doing Recovery Panels. I feel that the two year Foundation I received at the Beacon House has giving me the life that I have today! I have 18 years of amazing Recovery. I want to personally thank the Director Bill M. , Louie L. and Andy. They were instrumental in my recovery at the Beacon House. Thank God for all my Beacon Brothers while in the House and all the Alumni that took their time helping us all.