Reggie Haley came to Rochester’s Catholic Family Center as a client and, through a harrowing journey to recovery, went on to become an employee in the Restart Residential Program. "I had burned every bridge in my life, destroyed every relationship. I couldn’t hold a job, couldn’t stop using. I lived in a drug house. Hope was slowly fading. I was headed to prison, or to my grave," Haley recalled. "My turning point came one rainy night. I didn’t want to go back to the drug house and I was too ashamed to ask my family or friends for shelter. I had let them down so many times."
"I saw this boarded-up building and crawled through a hole to get out of the rain," Haley continued. "Once inside, I cried out to God. I thanked him for covering me and I asked God to help me live, or help me die, but help me. I knew God heard me. I felt better. Things started to change."
"This experience opened the door for me to go to Freedom House," Haley recalled." Freedom House helped me face reality. It was a process of learning and accepting the responsibility for my actions. After being a resident and successfully graduating from the program, I began to volunteer my time. Eventually it led to a job as a residential counselor."
That was 10 years ago, and Haley continues to guide others on the path to sobriety and independence with dignity in his work with Restart Residential.
