Hazelbrook Works!

Since the age of 15, I have been in active addiction. It didn’t matter what the substance was or what was going on in my life. Addiction consumed me completely. If I wasn’t happy with how much I had or how high I was—though I never truly was—I would lie, steal, and hurt those closest to me. I took from my community, and most painfully, from myself. My life was spiraling out of control—drugged out, defeated, and depressed. I didn’t know who I was, let alone who I wanted to be. My family saw me as just another person doomed to continue the cycle of addiction, like many in my family before me who never made it out—those who ended up dead or in jail, never getting a chance to turn things around.

I’d had moments of hope in the past. I got clean, got a job—but I didn’t work on myself. It was just a brief flicker of light before I fell right back into addiction. I became absent from my child’s life, unable to be the father she deserved. My life was more out of control than ever, and I was lost, broken, and felt like she would be better off without me. I overdosed a couple of times, and still, nothing stopped me. I was spiraling fast, heading nowhere good.

Then I met Pete Cantu. By the grace of God, Pete crossed my path. His willingness to help, his genuine desire to find a solution for me, gave me something I hadn’t felt in years—hope. When everyone else had given up on me, Pete didn’t. He set me up with the TSZ program, and although I was still questioning my decision at the time, unsure of what I was doing, Pete kept showing up. He showed me support and reminded me that hope was still possible. Through TSZ, I met people who would become some of the most important people in my life—my best friend, mentors, and people who believed in me when I couldn’t believe in myself.

Tripp helped me dig deep into my depression, my pain, and the issues no one wanted to address. I learned more about myself in just two weeks in that program than I had in my entire life. It wasn’t even close. From TSZ, I moved on to Hazelbrook, and I haven’t looked back. At Hazelbrook, I’ve accomplished things that I had been trying to achieve for years. Things that had once seemed impossible were now happening. I have my child back in my life. She’s living with my parents right now, and although I want her with me, I’m looking at the bigger picture and what’s best for her. I know the day will come when we’re together again.

I had been driving illegally for most of my life, with a suspended license since 2015. In just two months at Hazelbrook, I got everything squared away—my license, interlock, insurance, and even two cars. I’ve been a burden on my family for years, living off them and weighing them down. After a year at Hazelbrook, I have my own place—something I never thought would be possible. I’ve also found work that I can be proud of, jobs that I know will help me build a better future. Even when my background caused setbacks, Hazelbrook gave me the tools to keep pushing forward and to empower myself. They’ve given me a career that I can feel good about at the end of every day.

The people I’ve met at Hazelbrook are some of the most amazing people I will ever know. I could list them all, but you’d be reading forever. My story isn’t unique—this could be anyone’s story, anyone who walks through that door and is willing to put in the work. But I thank God every day for bringing Hazelbrook into my life. Without Caring 4 Denver and TSZ, none of this would have been possible. Thank you, Geno, for your vision. Without you, I’d still be lost.

This journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth it. And today, I’m not lost anymore. I’m on the path to the life I always wanted. And I’m going to keep going.