Richard's Story

I came through Simon House almost two years ago in September 2021. I was part of the Prolific Offender Engagement Team (POET) program and felt as though I was forced to attend treatment. It was Simon House or prison.

After being at Simon House and enjoying recovery for many months, I had come to realize my first year of recovery was really for me; but after that, it’s for everyone else. Giving back and supporting others is the magic that supports my sustained recovery and growth.

The counsellor that managed the AfterCARE program convinced me to enroll and I am so grateful to her. The AfterCARE program kept me accountable with regular drug testing and counselling support if I needed it. It also kept me coming back to Simon House to support the Brothers.

I participated in the AfterCARE program for an entire year as I awaited sentencing. Now, I’m celebrating 28 months of recovery!

Recovery has given me my family back. In my recovery, I not only help people in addiction but also have helped people that I hurt in addiction. I may not be able to make amends to everyone, but my daily actions serve as a living amendment.

My gift to my family is my daily recovery and how I now choose to live. Now, it’s shocking to me to think I was even the person I was before recovery.

For someone to change, all that it takes is for someone to believe in them and show them that they are not useless human beings. That they are worth supporting. Compassion, hope—they rehumanize people. This is what my POET officer and Simon House did for me.

In recovery, I really get to show up. I get to see my family; I get to love and be loved. I get to do what I set my mind to do.

I had to do treatment, or I would go to prison. I had to do treatment, or I would go to prison.

I’m either winning or learning. No more loser mentality! It’s an attitude of gratitude. One day at a time!

It’s an attitude of gratitude. One day at a time!

— Richard