Getting in Tune!

Going through life as an undiagnosed, untreated alcoholic is hard.  It’s hard on relationships, jobs, the wallet, just about every aspect of your life. 

I came from a good family. I grew up in West County.  I went to private school.  I had everything I wanted as a kid.  There was no abuse in the family or anything like that.  I was oldest of 4.  I graduated high school but I had started drinking when I was 13.  I’ve done every drug under the sun since.  I remember drinking whiskey the first time.  I crawled home.  My father answered the door and I fell flat on my face.  He told me to make sure I made it to the bathroom if the room started spinning.  That was it.  No consequences.  I thought, “this is great.”  From that point on anything anyone had that would help me reach an altered state of consciousness I’d take.

 I did a couple of years at Meramec.  This was during the Vietnam War and the lottery.  I drew #50.  I passed 2 physicals but was never called for service.  I went back to the University of Missouri at Columbia where I pursued a degree in chemical engineering and got it.

I’ve worked my whole life.  I started out making roast beef sandwiches, fries, and shakes at the original Red Lion (Lions Choice) in Manchester as a teenager. I worked for the University Of Missouri then co-owned an energy Management company. I went to prison on a drug charge in the 1980s. After prison I started a surplus computer electronics business and went into buying and selling surplus electrical equipment.  I was a foreman for a construction company and a company electrician for a company that manufactured and installed large packaging machinery. I’ve traveled all over the country doing installation, troubleshooting, repairs, and upgrades.  I’ve been building and programming computers for over 30 years.

The first time I was homeless was in 1996. I was living at Vandeventer and Lindell and working as an electrician, strung out on drugs and alcohol.  Things weren’t looking good for me.  I got evicted out of my apartment.  My next address was the park bench across the street from the apartment building. 

In 2008 I was 56 years old and unable to find work.  I ended up living in the basement of the old Coffee House on Southwest Avenue.  The Coffee House eventually asked me to leave.  In January of 2010 I got into Peter & Paul Community Services’ Emergency Shelter.  After my 90 day stay I moved into the Transitional Housing Program.  During that time I applied for disability and got a hearing.   I won the appeal.  I reported to the Social Security Office near the City Museum and received 2 years of back pay.  One of Peter & Paul’s partner agencies, Mercy Road to Home, helped me find my apartment.  It cost me $309 a month which includes utilities.

Since October 21st, 2004  I’ve been sober. I plan to keep it that way.

I feel like Peter & Paul’s shelter and transitional programs served a purpose for me.  I had no place to go.  I had no food, no money and no place to live.  They provided me with a place to live and meals that I received at their Meals Program.  They were flexible enough that I was able to get to meetings.  It worked for me. 

I really like the community collabARTive.  I’ve been involved with that program as an alum since I moved out.  Most recently I was part of a film documentary that is supposed to be released next year.  I’m also involved in a photography project in the Benton Park West neighborhoods aimed at breaking down stereotypes surrounding homelessness.

The transitional program gave me stability.  It allowed me to earn money and save. It gave me a place to live while I worked on my plan to live on my own.    Today I have steady monthly income that I can now count on.  I have my own apartment and pay my rent.  I don't get what I want necessarily but I get what I need.  Peter & Paul played an important role in providing for those needs when I wasn’t able to.

 

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