As promised, we’d like to share Kelvin’s speech with you. Fancy parties are great (once or twice a year!), but this is the real reason we do what we do. The men and women in our program work so hard to rebuild their lives, their success means the world to us.
This was one of the most moving and meaningful moments at our Black & White Ball. We couldn’t be prouder of Kelvin and all that he has accomplished…
“It was February 23rd, 2007. I was arrested, once again, for the sale of crack cocaine to an undercover officer. A plea agreement with the court system led me to a substance abuse treatment program.
After 12 months of treatment, I was introduced to ACE as a vocational training program. This is where I met John Ellert for Intake and Orientation. He got a quick synopsis of my life story and inquired if I wanted to change. I earnestly did, and he gave me a shot. He gave me an opportunity to become part of this family. On April 13th, 2009, I entered ACE.
In all honesty, at first, no, I was not enthused about sweeping streets and dumping garbage cans. But one morning, an elderly woman approached me and handed me two dollars. She said, “this is a little something because I appreciate what you guys come out here and do on a daily basis.” I tried to give it back but she wouldn’t accept, and it really touched me, because I was being recognized for the good that I was doing. And from that day on, I did my daily tasks with pride and quality.
I was getting up every day of the week with a positive purpose: work. Getting to know the ACE staff over time, I really felt part of something. ACE cared for me until I was able to care for myself. And the care continues still today.
On October 8th, 2009, I was hired as a Program Aide at Fort Washington, a homeless shelter. Since then, I’ve been promoted to Residential Aide, received a raise, and have been certified as a Fire Safety Coordinator.
February 23rd, 2007 is important to me because it is the day of my last drug usage. From that day to the present, I have uninterrupted clean time. Back then, I was caught in the grips of addiction. Now that grip has been loosened and the sky’s the limit.
ACE gave me a work ethic, time management skills, a chance to believe in myself and the opportunity to sweep the streets. But I wasn’t just cleaning up the streets, I was cleaning up myself.”
—Kelvin Williams, ACE Graduate, June 17, 2010.
