by Stephanie Mendenhall
You know, I could tell you about how we helped people who lost their jobs during the Covid-19 crisis find a resource to pay rent, or how we were able to orient 17 new members in the last month or how all nine of our Recovery Circles are still meeting weekly via Zoom but instead, I thought I’d tell you about two people we recently met.
This is Eronn and Flo, they are brother and sister. Flo was scrolling through Facebook when she came across the Reclaiming Lives/Recovery Café Facebook Live show where Recovery Café Manager, Brandon Orr was interviewing Gelacio Reddy-Ortiz.
The two were talking about the brotherhood they found in recovery and as Flo listened she knew this was what her brother Eronn needed in his life.
Eronn was in prison in Arizona and would be arriving in Medford a few days later to re-establish his life near his family.
Eronn had spent his time in prison staying clean and focusing on his recovery. He wanted a different life and was willing to do whatever it took to make that happen.
When we met Eronn in person, Brandon and I were able to talk with him about what had worked for him while he was in prison and what he needed to continue on the recovery path he had started. By the end of the visit, Eronn had a referral to a medical clinic to obtain medical insurance and set up primary care; he was given a contact number to work with an employment specialist, was given a list of 12-step meetings on Zoom and was provided a link to attend a Recovery Circle online.
The look of disbelief on his face will stick with us for a long time. He had no idea a place existed where he could connect to the resources he needed in one visit. At one point, he asked how much we charge for the help. Brandon laughed and explained that Reclaiming Lives exists to help people help people. He shared how we walk alongside people throughout their recovery establishing life-long friendships. He asked him to be a part of our recovery community where success is celebrated and people are valued; where giving back encourages growth in each of us.
Eronn called a few days later to let me know he was connected to primary medical care; had applied to get his social security card and had drafted a resume. He thanked me for helping him get into a Recovery Circle and a 12-step program. He talked about how he was getting to know the people in the recovery community. He also mentioned that he had reconnected with his son whom he hadn’t spoken with in over 20 years. Its guys like Eronn who remind us why we do what we do. To see them excited to be with good people (even through social distancing), to encourage them to do the things that will help them succeed and to witness the joy on their faces when they are able to begin to set down roots and lead a life they are proud of.
