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Healing a Tough Man
Herbert was, by anyone's notion, a hard case. Living on the streets, in and out of jail, streetwise and full of rage. A tough, angry guy.
Until his life changed at Dawn Farm.
Herbert is an Ann Arbor native. He grew up with his grandmother, attended Huron High, and dropped out in his senior year to join the army. He served in Vietnam , Thailand and Germany over the next 7 years. As a drug addict.
Cocaine, heroin and alcohol accompanied him all over the world.
Herbert first met Jim Balmer in 1981—who suggested he consider entering Dawn Farm. “I didn't believe him —I thought he was crazy.”
Back on the streets, Herbert's addiction escalated, and his activities eventually resulted in a trip to prison in 1984. Four years later, he attempted to stay clean and sober on his own. It didn't last long.
“In 1989 I started using again. I didn't want to, but I was hurting so bad. Then my grandmother died in 1990, and my life just spiraled out of control.”
Despite his fear of jail, Herbert's addiction just got worse. He was homeless and alone.
“I was losing jobs left and right—and I eventually just stopped caring.” Herbert was regularly in jail, living in shelters, in our Detox and on the streets.
“I was mad at the world.” Full of anger, shame and guilt, Herbert finally came to Dawn Farm in April 1998. “I had nothing—I said to Jim, Man, I need some help.”
But the Farm was a difficult place for Herbert. He was angry and troubled. “My problems seemed so big that I couldn't see past them. But the Farm made me confront the reality of my life.”
Herbert left the Farm early—and entered the newly established Chapin Street transitional house.
"I was determined to get sober. I could have gotten high, but being at the Farm had really helped me. I had developed the beginning of a hunger for sobriety—for all the good things I wanted."
At Chapin Street , Herbert became involved in the recovering community—especially helping others. As the months passed, his commitment to others grew.
Herbert started visiting men at the Detox where he once was a client—and still stops by almost every day. He runs a recovery meeting in the county jail every Tuesday night.
Now he works for the University of Michigan , and plans on continuing his support of newly recovering addicts. He's not angry anymore.
“You don't have to get as bad as me. If I can get sober, you can too. When I asked Dawn Farm for help, I got it.” |
