In celebration of
our 50th anniversary, each month we will be sharing a story that highlights one
of our programs or treatment populations. Below is Kenneth’s story, who found
creating art helped keep him focused on his recovery.
Art has been a part of Kenneth’s life for more than 40 years.
Growing up, the comfort of creation helped distract Kenneth, 55, from the stresses
of growing up in the projects with a single mom raising him and his siblings. As
Kenneth reached his teenage years, art gave way to drugs and alcohol as a means
of escape. For the next twenty-five years Kenneth struggled with his addiction
to cocaine and alcohol, and found himself in and out of treatment programs.
A few years ago, Kenneth became homeless after he lost
his job, and he had no money to pay his rent. Feeling hopeless about his future,
Kenneth isolated himself. He relapsed, and knowing he needed to make a change,
he entered residential treatment at Odyssey House.
In treatment, Kenneth found sanctuary by participating in
workshops at the Odyssey House expressive arts studio. Kenneth says creating
art allows him to express himself in ways he cannot verbally, and supports his
recovery in a safe and sober environment. “The Odyssey House Art Project helped
me find myself. I can find joy in life again.” This July, Kenneth celebrated
one year of sobriety, giving him a more hopeful outlook on his life: “Now that I’ve
reached this milestone, it’s going to be a brighter future for me.”
For more than a
decade, our expressive arts studio has been a therapeutic oasis for clients of
our residential treatment and housing programs, enabling them to find new ways
to exercise their creativity and communicate their feelings. Art helps clients
to open up, which also opens doors to improved treatment and healing.
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