Joseph’s Story
| A young man has reached out seeking a scholarship for treatment at Genesis Recovery. He is tired, empty and desires change in his life that has been filled with trauma. His story is emotional and disturbing. Joseph has shared his life leading up to this moment in time, one that has been full of fear, violence, addiction and abuse. He truly desires the help and change that we can provide him, but we can’t do it without your help! Will you take a moment to read his story and consider what you could contribute towards his recovery? All donations for him will go directly to his scholarship fund with Genesis Recovery residential treatment program. |
| Joseph’s biological father fought in every tour of the Vietnam war. He was a prisoner of war and was shot. After his father came back home from the war, he was a different person. He was violent and addicted to heroin. Joseph remembers being terrified when his mom was being choked in her sleep by his father. When he was still very young, his father kidnapped him. Trapped and confused, Joseph lived with his father, full of fear, malnourished and had lice. Joseph’s mom was able to get him back around age 5 and when he moved back into his mom’s home he learned he had a brother and sister. Unfortunately, it was not a cheerful homecoming and his suffering continued. His mom and new step dad were both alcoholics and he was left with other people often. Their home was filled with violence and Joseph lived in fear, daily. |
| They were a military family and moved to San Diego in the 80’s. At the age of 13, he ran away from home and started drinking. One day while drunk on malt liquor, he shot 2 people. Joseph was sent to a boys ranch in Arizona where the boys were worked hard, in the heat, forced to wear restraints. Once again, he found himself living in fear. He was released at age 17 and came back home. Joseph did well in school for a time, but couldn’t keep it up. He started drinking and fighting and rotated through all the county camps and jails, including George Bailey. |
| The day he turned 21, he went out with friends and got into a bar fight. Joseph knocked a guy out causing him to hit his head. This resulted in more jail time for involuntary manslaughter. He was released at age 29, met a woman and started a new life. He was able to get a good job and have children. Joseph was still drinking, but maintained his home and family for a time… until his girlfriend separated from him. Unable to cope with the rejection, he started using again and the cycle started again. As he used, his family distanced themselves from him and the isolation pushed him to use more. |
| Joseph says he “hasn’t been able to bounce back” and has identified that “everybody’s left me alone because of the drug use.” Joseph knows he needs help and he is ready. As partners, we can offer the opportunity for Joseph’s story to have a happy ending… Together we can give him the treatment and tools he needs for long-term recovery and a new life. We hope to get him into treatment within the next few days. Will you donate to his treatment now? Any amount is appreciated and your donation will go directly to his treatment. We are hoping to get him in within the next day or two as he needs to get into treatment as soon as possible. Thank you so much for your consideration and support of Genesis Recovery. Your help transforms lives. This not only directly impacts their families but our communities as well. |
