GLIDE’s Health Empowerment and Access Team (HEAT) not only offers many health services on site, but also refers clients to other programs. GLIDE’s case managers follow up with them and track their progress as they move through those programs, providing an extra layer of support. 

So when Anthony graduated from the Salvation Army’s six month long Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) program, his case manager Liz Oates and other GLIDE staff were at the graduation ceremony to celebrate his victory. 

Anthony has been through a lot. “My uncle passed away from a fentanyl overdose,” Anthony shared.  “He was missing, and they eventually found his body between two buildings. For a long time, I was mad at God about it. Today, I know he’s in a better place.” 

Anthony said the first month of the program was the hardest, but he relied on a higher power and kept on pushing. Focusing on doing everything he could to better himself in his daily life helped– even small actions like going out of his way to do all the house’s dishes. 

Anthony says the key to recovery is to “stop running scared and start running TOWARDS something.” For Anthony, focusing on his faith and his music helped give him a direction to run towards. Anthony loves hip hop, rap, and R&B, and composes his own music under the artist name Skitzflo.

“I love seeing my brothers graduate,” Anthony said, speaking of the others in his cohort. “They are real  leaders of our recovery house.” 

The graduation was full of thunderous cheers for each and every person who completed their six-month program– the love and support filled the air.  Each graduate also gave a speech to inspire others in the recovery program. The message of Anthony’s speech was, “God’s got your back.” 

Anthony hopes to study radiology in the future as well as pursue his musical ambitions. We at GLIDE are wishing him well and hoping for the fulfillment of all his dreams!