Marty, who is an Advocate within our Recovery Programs and recently celebrated his 8 years as a team member at SLS, is a perfect example of why we do what we do at SLS. We first met Marty when he moved in as a client in our Recovery Programs many years ago. But the life transformation he experienced while in the program was just the beginning. Here’s how Marty tells his story:
“13 years ago, I graduated the recovery program at Arrigoni West. With an associate degree in Alcohol and Drug Counseling, 2 internships completed and a near perfect score for my LADC licensing test, I set out to earn my bachelor’s degree and become a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Then a life changing, beautiful thing happened.
While visiting the Supportive Living Solution’s website, I decided to apply for a job on a Tuesday, I received a phone call on Wednesday, interviewed on Thursday and was given an offer of employment with SLS. I was so close to becoming an LADC, but I decided to give SLS a go. This would become the utmost, greatest decision I had ever made.
I was working for a director who was the director when I was a resident! Here I was, not only doing what I most dearly wanted, but I was also giving back to the exact people that helped me out on my own journey of sobriety. I now know what people in the sober community mean when they say “the new person is the most important.” Every time we admit a new resident, I have another opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life. Every day, I have the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life. Nothing gets me more excited than when a resident approaches me in the office and says, ‘Hey, Marty. You got a minute?’ Another golden opportunity to be the one to help them, to make a difference in their life.
The most satisfying thing that has happened to me in my career with SLS is when a resident who had graduated our program 2 years earlier came to visit. I could see the aura surrounding him. He looked at me and said, ‘Marty, you are the main reason I am where I am today.’ Talk about having a melting heart and goose bumps at the same time!!!
I know I am on the right path. Every day I grow stronger because of the residents around me sharing their unique stories and even teaching me things I never knew about chemical dependency. Filling out that application was a Godsend and I honestly believe that I have found my calling!!”
Marty has impacted countless lives by the support and encouragement he has provided to the clients in our recovery programs. But he also speaks to the life-change that we undergo when we give our lives to serve others. There is a great sense of joy and fulfillment knowing our life’s work is helping to improve another person’s world. Think of the way that impact ripples out. This is how you go about changing the world – one “hey, do you have a minute?” at a time.
