Earlier this year, five students in CRM’s LifeBuilders residential addiction recovery program, were offered a unique opportunity to become LifeBuilder Amassadors in Downtown Jacksonville. Working closely with CRM staff as well as the Ambassador staff at Downtown Vision, Inc., Samuel, Edgar, Kyle, Stephan, and Duan are working to help keep downtown’s urban core clean and safe. Because of this opportunity, they are able to use the tools they have gained at CRM and successfully work toward a victorious life with restored hope.
WHAT DOES THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE A DVI LIFEBUILDERS AMBASSADOR MEAN TO YOU?
Samuel: This means the world to me. I am able to save my money to allow for a fresh start when I complete the LifeBuilders program.
Edgar: To me, it means that I am able to represent probably the best recovery program available in Florida.
Kyle: It has allowed me to build
the confidence I need to return to the real world while still being held accountable and feeling the safety and support that I came to the program for in the first place
Stephan: This means everything to me. It has helped me stay on the right path and continue to reach my goals.
Duan: It means a lot to me because it gives me the chance to prove that anyone can change.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THIS OPPORTUNITY?
Samuel: I like the thanks and respect we get from the downtown community. I hope to become a permanent employee for Downtown Vision.
Edgar: My favorite part of this opportunity is being able to reach out to those who need help getting off the street by giving them the resources to obtain things like ID cards, social security cards and birth certificates – to help them find work.
Kyle: My favorite part is being able to clean up and give back to the city I was raised in. I see
the city through a whole different
lens.
Stephan: I want to be successful in this job and am hopeful that this will lead to a permanent job with the city.
Duan: My favorite part is that I am able to make my family proud as well as being proud of myself.
HOW DID CRM PREPARE YOU FOR THIS POSITION?
Samuel: Participating in Morning Glory every morning helped me a lot by just waking up healthy and ready to go.
Edgar: CRM prepared me by giving me the tools that I need every day to help me make better decisions and giving me this opportunity to pay it forward by helping others.
Kyle: CRM prepared me for this opportunity by providing a secure place with rules set in place that helped me get past problems and bad habits that were affecting my life. It also has helped me by holding me accountable but with enough freedom for me to make the right decisions on my own.
Stephan: CRM gave me structure again and made me see the bigger picture. They also made me realize it takes small steps to make it and patience is everything.
Duan: CRM prepared me by teaching me patience and to always put God first. Also, that the easy way is not necessarily the best way
