After many tumultuous years of drug use and homelessness, 56-year-old Ernest has found sobriety, stability and spirituality at Ascension Illinois Housing and Health Alliance's Bonaventure House.
The spiritual care program at Bonaventure has been a lifeline for Ernest.
“I've learned how to pray and meditate, and how to live through my spiritual practices,” said Ernest. “I want to help someone else after so many people helped me."
Now, after nearly two years of sobriety, Ernest is studying to become a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, a career goal unimaginable before arriving at Bonaventure.
About Ascension Illinois Housing and Health Alliance
The Ascension Illinois Housing and Health Alliance (Alliance) offers a continuum of supportive housing from our sobriety-based transitional recovery homes to site-based and scattered-site permanent supportive housing. In FY 2024, the Alliance provided over 300 formerly homeless individuals living with HIV/AIDS, mental illness and substance use disorders with supportive housing and housing navigation services.
The supportive services offered in the housing programs include case management, recovery services for those with substance use disorders, occupational therapy, a food and nutrition program, and non-denominational spiritual care.
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