Xavier’s Story Continues to Grow Healthier
About 18 months ago, we shared the “where is he now” story of Xavier Teagle, one of our Greenhouse Recovery residents, and the journey he was on to reconnect with his two young daughters.
At the time, Xavier had just received visitation rights after going more than two years without seeing his girls.
He had rebuilt his life after committing to sobriety inside Greenhouse Recovery, and his journey was featured here.
Because our team has been there, we’ll never forget hearing Xavier describe the reunion with his daughters and what it meant for him.
A few days ago, Xavier reached out and wanted to share yet another update. Today, we’re happy to tell you more about his journey too!
Xavier has now been clean for 27 months.
He’s living on his own, working, paying child support, going to school to be a Mental Health Peer Specialist.
Most importantly, his two daughters – ages seven and five – are part of his life. He told us he’s determined to be the father they need and deserve.
The journey is never easy
And Xavier’s story is no exception.
After completing a year in the Greenhouse Recovery program, he spent a couple months sleeping in his car while working, saving money while taking his daughters to school.
Then, he experienced a serious health crisis involving blood clots in his lungs and legs.
His mom told him, “You need help.”
Xavier knew that Greenhouse was a place where he was loved and supported, so he came back.
When he did return, we told him what every man who comes through our doors hears: “We love you, and you’re welcome back.”
After his time back with us, he found an apartment and began rebuilding again.
Xavier says, “You know, I’m usually broke and it can be rough, but my girls have never missed a meal. My lights are always on. My clothes are always clean. And I’m in school because I want to provide for myself and my girls, and help others facing addiction and mental health issues.”
That may not sound like earth-shattering stuff, but to those of us who have faced addiction or homelessness, these things are massive.
Xavier’s willingness to work hard and grow in responsibilities is truly moving.
Another redemption story that multiplies
What’s so cool is that Xavier has begun to see that his story can be used to help someone else.
He has already become a Certified Recovery Specialist
Currently in school to stack skills, next as a Mental Health Peer Specialist
He wants to help people who have walked through some of the same struggles he’s experienced
“I have a past,” Xavier told us.
“I struggled with addiction before I was aware of my mental health issues, before I knew how it affected me and others.”
Xavier was honest and humble about where he’s been.
He said, “I’ve been an unreliable parent, son, and uncle, and I’ve burned a lot of bridges with people that I love,” and “it’s taken me a long time to forgive myself.”
But we know that we don’t need to hide from our past.
God, in his faithfulness, gives us a way to face our past through His forgiveness. Through His grace, we can learn from our mistakes and can experience complete and utter transformation.
That’s the core experience of our ministry!
Everyone who walks through our doors hears the Good News that this same transformation is possible for them.
Here’s what we’re doing every day at Greenhouse Recovery:
Our recovery coaches walk alongside men who need someone who cares enough to stay with them.
Each resident is pointed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the only way for life transformation
Our peer-led model combines unconditional love with education and accountability.
Our sober living homes provide a family-like community where men can set goals, build character, and learn a new way of life.
And we help connect residents with the practical resources they need — employment, finances, legal services, housing, education, and more.
Ultimately, we’re here because there is hope on the other side of addiction.
We’ve seen it in so many of our residents, and we see it so clearly in Xavier. We see it in the way he talks about his daughters, in his willingness to listen, learn, and ask questions. We see it in his willingness to grow, and his desire to give back by helping others.
Xavier’s relationship with God is still a journey, too.
He grew up in the church, and says his relationship with God became complicated as he got older.
But he still loves going to church, and now his daughters like going, too.
His mom has been encouraging Xavier to take them more often.
The men who receive restorative care and hope here do not build back their life alone.
Here, Pastor John Clifford and our team of licensed, certified coaching staff, have a relentless passion to help others achieve lasting transformation, and our community environment is built on Godly principles that position men like Xavier for a life that flourishes.
Please pray for Xavier and for his family, and for all the individuals in our program.