I was born and raised near Coney Island. That neighborhood was all I knew for most of my life. My father left when I was six and my life at home instantly changed. My mother became the sole provider for my three younger sisters and me. As a seamstress, she didn’t make a lot of money, but she loved us so much and did her best to provide for us.

When you don’t have anything, having access to drugs and alcohol becomes a status symbol, and at 14 years old drinking and smoking became my hobbies. A combination of drug use and a need to help provide for my family pushed me to drop out of high school my Junior year.

I worked hard to hide my addiction and give the impression I was a functioning adult, but just under the surface my life was spiraling.

By 24, I was married and a young father. The family life I’d always wanted was beginning to take shape. Unfortunately, over time, it became clear that my wife and I weren’t the best partners for each other. At age 28, I got divorced and had to learn to parent from afar. Just as I felt like I found a home, I lost it. So again, I found comfort in drugs and alcohol.

I worked hard to hide my addiction and give the impression I was a functioning adult, but just under the surface my life was spiraling. I was using every day, heavily addicted and unemployed. I tried to find a job, but really, all I wanted to do was get high. The drugs kept me unconscious. I ended up in a shelter and then a three-quarter house.

A turning point came in 2017 when my daughter was turning 16. I wanted it to be special, so I helped plan a sweet 16 party for her. I insisted that we couldn’t have alcohol at the party. I made sure the guests didn’t bring alcohol. I checked everybody. Unfortunately, that didn’t stop me. During the party, I felt like I needed to take a break. I left to take a walk and have a drink, thinking no one would notice.

I chose her. It was the best choice I ever made.

When it came time for the father daughter dance, my daughter took one look at me and she knew. She was crushed and had her brother step in for me. After the party she confronted me. “Dad” she said, “you’re going to have to make the choice between me and the drugs.”

I chose her. It was the best choice I ever made. On May 3rd, 2017, I entered rehab and I’ve been clean since.

Once I was clean, my biggest obstacle was finding employment. At that point, I had been out of work for almost five years. I had no skills, no training, nothing that I could use to go in front of an employer and say, this is who I am now.

That’s when ACE came into my life. In November 2017, my treatment counselor referred me to ACE. At ACE, I got my OSHA General Industry and Construction certificates. I also got a custodial maintenance certification, where I learned to use different maintenance equipment and work with chemicals. I revised my resume and did mock interviews. I didn’t know how to send an email when I started, but I learned to navigate a computer. I also met with a financial coach to work on my finances. The whole time I was building up my confidence.

After not working for five years, hearing someone say “you’re hired” felt amazing.

Still, there were a few times I wanted to quit. I saw other people getting jobs and thought, why isn’t it working for me? The staff there just kept encouraging me. I ended up booking an interview at a community center in Queens. At the interview, the supervisor told me that he wanted to hire me. After not working for five years, hearing someone say “you’re hired” felt amazing.

On April 9th, 2018, I started work as a custodian at Sunnyside Community Services. I love my job. Since starting just over a year ago, I’ve gotten several raises. I have medical benefits, paid vacation, and they’re paying for me to continue to get trainings that will help me earn more. I was even invited to spearhead my company’s infrastructure planning committee.

Today, I am part of society. I’m part of my community. I wake up in the morning and go to work. I’ve even run two marathons in the last year and I’ll be running my third in November. I feel financially independent. People have respect for me. ACE believed in me and gave me a chance. I had lost the tools, and they gave me those tools back.

Most important to me, the relationship I have with my daughter is incredible. We talk every day on the phone. She is so proud of me right now, and when I see that, I know I’m doing the right thing.

There are more hard working men and women like Johnny making their comeback right now. Make a gift today, and take part in their incredible journey to economic self-sufficiency.