From Shelter to Stability
From Homelessness to Tuxedo
May 2011
By Jennifer M. Drummond
It is often said there are no guarantees in life and all we have are the choices we make. These choices can determine our careers, our financial success, spiritual life and ultimately our happiness.
Over twenty years ago, Charles Williams, 43, a graduate of CARITAS Works and participant of the Wheels To Work program, made a choice to consume alcohol excessively and use cocaine, while attending Bay State College in Massachusetts. His choices took him down a path of drug and alcohol addiction ending in homelessness. While his story is not unique, Williams did find his way to a successful 12-step recovery program and finally to CARITAS.
Sitting in the small two-desk office, Williams stretched his solid, contoured 6’frame, back in the cushioned chair and with a deep breath, he began his story. He told of how he was raised by his elderly grandparents, who did the best they could for him. “When I needed a father figure, I was taking care of my grandfather.” Despite this, Williams was still able to excel in sports. He was considered a star football athlete in high school and was ranked number three rusher in his home state of Massachusetts. He ended up attending a smaller school due to his grades and his (I’m all that) attitude as he tells it. His interests in school included advertising and marketing. However, those ambitions were set aside and distractions took their place. “I was drinking in my freshman year and was introduced to cocaine in between my freshman and sophomore years and things really took a turn for the worse,” he shared. At the age of 20, Williams said he tried cocaine for the first time, but that one time created a desire for the drug he could not shake. “I should have never touched it,” he exclaimed in a soft voice. Williams soon dropped out of college and would have a new bleak future.
Finding a job, whether it was manufacturing or starting a car detailing business, was easy. At this time midway through his addiction getting his drug of choice was his job. “I couldn’t just have a beer at dinner. It meant I was going to be at a crack house in the morning,” he said. In time, Williams realized he had a problem, traveled to Tornado Alley, Kansas with the firm belief that if he moved from the east coast, he would leave his addictions behind him. “But somehow, the drugs always seem to find me.”
He married and divorced two times while living there, each time thinking things would be different- even with relationships. This was yet another lesson he had to learn. Finally he decided to return to Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A) (which he first attended in 1999). “That program did not work for me. People were going to the meetings and using drugs in secret.” However, Williams continued to go, and by chance, he met someone there who recommended “The Healing Place in Richmond,” Nothing so far in his life had worked, but upon the advice of a new trusted friend, Williams traveled back to the east coast, to Richmond, Virginia, where he would soon find a sponsor, mentors and was able to clearly see and address his addictions, unlike before. It has been nearly a year and Williams has been clean and sober. It was a great leap for him. “I will always be in recovery, and it is a nice place to be,” he said.
Even with all Williams had been through and all he had accomplished in a short time, there was something else he needed, and that was transportation. He had a car earlier but it was no longer operable and individuals going through The Healing Place Recovery Program were not allowed to have cars. He was forced to get rides and he walked from place to place, rain or shine. Williams had heard about the Wheels To Work, another program of CARITAS, through a friend who told him the process was easy. Williams had already saved some money and went ahead and made an inquiry. Much to his delight he was able to purchase the car at a great price once he let the staff at the program know he was interested. “I am able to give people rides now. I can visit my grandchildren and it gives me an opportunity to enjoy life more,” he said with a wide grin.
Not only will Williams be working as a limousine driver (one of two new jobs he has) he will be dressing in style, thanks to Teresa Duncan, and St. John’s Episcopal Church of Chester. Once she learned about Williams needing a suitable outfit for his job, she immediately met with her Pastor and they provided Williams with a new tuxedo, complete with a red bowtie. He is sure to get noticed! Because of his determination and purchasing a car through the Wheels To Work program, Williams is reaping big dividends!
Early in his life, Charles Williams made choices such as drugs and alcohol. They became like a scratchy chain around his neck, tied to a heavy rock. He was bound and unable to freely move throughout his life without pain and the ever present weight. Williams sat up straight in the chair and this time leaned forward. He said he now enjoys his life and confided he has the help of a strong support group and programs like CARITAS Works, unlike before. “The Works program helped me to work on my relationship with others. It was already there, they just pulled it out of me, and with everything I had gone through, I started to lose who I was, and the program helped me to see what was good in me.” Williams finished by saying, "Don’t give up! God works through people and agencies like CARITAS, you are just a vehicle for Him to do his work.”