MB is a Redwood City native who was struggling with addiction and homelessness. Danny, as an outreach worker, was able to connect with MB and get him enrolled in a program at City Team Oakland.
According to Danny, M had been clean for about 5-6 days when Danny was able to get him to the doors of the City Team Oakland program. This was a critical moment, as Danny mentioned that often people will find any excuse to not follow through at the last minute when faced with the prospect of treatment and change.
However, M did make it through the doors of the program. Danny shared that there was a challenge along the way – M’s family was having a funeral service at Crippen and Flynn, and M expressed a desire to attend. Danny was worried this might be an “out” for M to leave the program, but he was able to get M a ride to the funeral and then back to the program, where he ended up entering and starting the 6-month residential treatment.
A few months later, Danny received a call from M saying he was in the “work phase” of the program, which is about halfway through. M told Danny he was doing great and things were going well. Danny lost contact with M after that, as he wasn’t able to reach him when he tried to follow up. But Danny remained hopeful, saying that even if clients relapse or leave treatment, the initial steps they take are still progress and seeds that have been planted for future success.
Overall, M B’s story represents the challenges but also the potential for transformation that outreach workers like Danny witness when they are able to connect homeless and addicted individuals with treatment and recovery programs. Despite the setbacks, Danny saw M make it through that critical first step of entering the program, which he considers a success.
