In His Own Words – “To be recovering in a community means life to me. It means structure. It means accountability. So yeah, it’s helping tremendously.” – La’Velle Crawford
I’m La’Velle Crawford, and I am a Pathway Homes success story! I have 348 days clean. I have to say that, had I not been here, do you really think so? Not at all. I would not have the clean time. I wouldn’t be involved in NA or AA.
When I go to a meeting, people recognize me by face: “Hey, La’Velle!” You know how good that feels? To walk into a room and people know who you are and what you’re about. It’s been a wonderful journey.
Pathway Homes is excellent because I’m on a different path in life. I’ve met some really fantastic people—people who I would never have been exposed to had I not had the stability of being here— stabilized in a home, you know, where we are a family. I say “home” because people and staff treat us like this is our home, not like this is where we stay.
I have been in so many rehabs. I went as far as Scottsdale, AZ, and I left. My mom took me out there and tried to put me into a recovery environment, but I wasn’t ready, you know? I came back to the District of Columbia where I was exposed to drugs. And that was just disgusting. It was terrible. I wanted something better for my life. I wanted something a lot better for my life. But it wasn’t until I was so tired of the lifestyle, you know, that I knew that my next event would be death.
Coming to Pathway, I know that’s way off. I know if when I do transcend, wherever I go, I’ll be known for having made a difference, a positive difference. This home is a positive force. You’re around people who are supportive, who are even aggressive to make you feel like, you know, you can do this, you know, and they don’t belabor you with a whole lot of, you know, yin yang, but they want you to know your full potential.
I realize that I have the potential to be of service and why not? You know, it’s a personal investment in my life. And when I leave, I know people who know me: “Old La’Velle, he ran the old-time recovery group!” To be recovering in a community means life to me. It means structure. It means accountability. So yeah, it’s helping tremendously. Thank you, Pathway Homes, for all that you’ve done for me. It’s awesome!
