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At the Y, John George found purpose,
belonging and a new life.
After 20 years in the U.S. Navy, John George had a much larger battle to fight as a veteran when the disease of addiction took hold of his life. What began as a way of coping with trauma eventually developed into a substance use disorder that put him at risk of losing everything and led to his arrest in 2018. John was released into the Veterans Treatment Court program, which is designed to provide specialized treatment programs with behavior modification and sober-living residences at Reading YMCA for veterans struggling with substance use disorders and underlying mental health complications. John found the structure he needed and life-changing support to get his life back on track.
While the world was in isolation during the height of the pandemic, John found connection and purpose through his volunteer work at the Y and his church, while actively working on his treatment program. He also took the initiative to volunteer two hours every day in the gym in the Reading Y, which was closed to the public during the lockdown, which allowed other residents to have a safe place to exercise, unwind, and connect with other people
Gardening is a passion of John’s. He enjoys beautifying spaces like the garden he created at Reading YMCA
Upon graduating from the Treatment Court program, he continued living at the Reading YMCA among the community of peers he had grown to know and love. His contributions and positive attitude made an impression on the staff too. The Y staff offered him a job to continue his work in the gym and assist at the front desk of the Welcome Center.
John kept thriving with friendships, volunteerism, ministry, and fulfilling his sense of purpose in his Y community. “He always looks for ways to make things better and takes the initiative – whether that’s taking the time to mentor or listen to other residents or planting gardens and window boxes to beautify outside areas.”
In 2021, the tight-knit Y community was more important than ever when John found his friend, who had passed away from natural causes, during an SRO wellness check. Friends and staff were there to support him, but over time John struggled. He experienced a brief relapse, but this time was different. Not only did he recognize old behavior patterns he started to slip into, but he also had a genuinely caring community of friends and co-workers at the Y to support him. Initially, when he sought help for relapsing, John considered programming at a different Y location because he felt ashamed and afraid of letting staff and his community down. That’s when his Y family of staff reminded him that he belonged here, and he had their love, unwavering support, and encouragement. So, he stayed at the Reading Y where he called home.
“The program and counseling gave me good tools, but my recovery is based on my faith. My case manager at the Y, Gary, was able to help me even more because of our shared background and faith. I still do outreach with my church once a week in Reading and once a month in the Kensington area.”
Since then, John has evolved in his roles at the Y. Currently, he is the third-floor manager for the Serenity Hall program at the Reading YMCA and maintains program areas of the facility.
Along John’s journey, finding the Y was a critical turning point. At the YMCA of Reading & Berks County, he found a new lease on life: renewed purpose, new friends he’d call family, new job, and true sense of community where he belongs.
“It was so important for us to show John that we are not giving up on him – ever. And that we wouldn’t let him give up on himself. That’s what friends do. He’s overcome so much, and I couldn’t be prouder of him!”
Our donors lay the groundwork for our YMCA to provide structure, expand community outreach programs, uplift Christian principles, and advance inclusion and belonging. It is through support that we can provide a firm foundation for services and evolve with the needs of our community. Be the change you wish to see.
