At an early age, Phil witnessed what drug and alcohol addiction looked like and the negative impacts it could have. He grew up with two parents who were alcoholics, leading to their estrangement and displacing Phil.
He eventually went on to live with his grandmother, but couldn’t shake the impact of negative influences. Peer pressure at school led to drug use by the age of 13 and only escalated through high school. He was regularly using marijuana and crack cocaine and embraced a self-indulgent lifestyle that made it difficult to focus on school, so he dropped out.
By age 21, Phil became a father, and this new responsibility compelled him to get clean and turn his life around. He began working as a mechanic to support his family and prioritize fostering a stable household. His attempts toward stability were genuine, but it was short-lived
A setback sent Phil spiraling – he was now using a combination of several narcotic drugs. His drug addiction eventually led to separation from his family.
“I no longer had my fiancé, no more kids, I lost my job, the addiction was consuming me.”
With no family now, Phil had to walk the dark path of addiction alone. He began to experience homelessness, and his daily goals only included seeking his next drug use. In a destitute state, he walked into the facility of United Way of Greater St. Louis (UWGSL) partner agency, Riverbend Family Ministries, simply seeking a place to shower, little did he know, that stop marked the beginning of his life’s transformation.
Road to recovery
Riverbend Family Ministries is a holistic hub of nonprofit organizations that work with children, youth, and families in crisis, most often being affected by violence, addiction, poverty, and/or homelessness.
They provided a safe space for Phil, a place where he felt welcomed and could escape his past. After enduring several difficult years of addiction and homelessness, it was refreshing for him to find an organization that welcomed him with open arms.
“They made me feel like a part of the family almost immediately, they treated me with respect and empathy,” said Phil. “Seeing what they could do to help people, I wanted the same thing.”
Phil was referred to Amare, one of the community organizations operating under Riverbend Family Ministries that helps individuals and families impacted by substance use disorders.
Amare supported Phil through recovery coaching that helped him develop a plan to achieve sobriety and stability. After devising a plan, they helped him get placed in a nearby rehabilitation center through their Treatment Placement program. They would also provide him with transportation, housing, and other resources as needed.
These services proved to be crucial in pulling Phil away from drugs and essentially saving his life.
“Without them, I don’t think I would still be here today,” said Phil. “They took me away from the streets, away from the usage and I was treated like a human again, not looked down upon or rushed away – they offered a welcoming hand.”
Phil has maintained 18 months of sobriety and because of the support he was provided through Riverbend Family Ministries and their partner, Amare, Phil feels stronger and better equipped to maintain his sobriety long-term. After a nearly 30-year-long struggle, Phil said it feels good to finally be free.
“This feels great, this is the best thing on the face of the earth,” said Phil. “I got 27 and a half years of active addiction, and this is the longest time I’ve been clean since I was 13.”
Now that Phil is sober, he has rejoined his family and recommitted himself to building a brighter future for them, and earlier this month, he began working for Amare as a recovery coach to help people overcome the same obstacles he once faced.
Phil’s life has made a complete turnaround and Rachael Craddick, Fund Development Director for Riverbend Family Ministries, said UWGSL’s support and funding is why stories like Phil’s are possible.
“Phil’s journey is a powerful example of what’s possible when organizations work together to meet people where they are,” said Rachael. “Thanks to United Way’s commitment to collaboration and their investment in agencies like Riverbend Family Ministries, we can connect individuals with the right resources at the right time — whether it’s a shower, addiction recovery support, or a pathway to long-term stability.”
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