Stories
Ryan K
Victor found Ryan on the side of the road in July 2023. He was homeless, skinny, and had nothing. We asked him if he wanted to come off the street, and he said yes. We gave him our number but he lost it so we went looking for him in the same area, and found him. We got him a phone and programmed our number into it. He finally called, and we got him a scholarship for a drug rehab facility. He went for 45 days in North Carolina.
After struggling to stay there (he left after the first night, relapsed, and consequently fell into a coma for 2 weeks), he eventually got clean and came back home to Massachusetts where he was placed into a sober living home. A wonderfully generous dentist in upstate New York offered to provide him with new teeth at no charge. We turned to GoFundMe to help raise money for the trip and he was so happy for the opportunity to get his teeth fixed.
After that he worked for a few months but relapsed. He showed up to work high a couple of times and ended up in hospital he had relapsed so badly. He was temporarily paralyzed from the waist down because of the drugs — as a result of “nodding off” he had cut the circulation off to the lower half of his body for too long. After this hospital visit he had to go to physical therapy to learn how to walk again. This was Ryan’s wake-up call, his rock-bottom turning point. After that he decided to live with a friend in Maine who was five years clean. He got a job at a lumber yard where he’s still clean and sober, thriving, and doing well.
Ryan is a full believer in the power of transformation, and actively volunteers with The Good Project when he can. He enjoys telling his story to those who may benefit from hearing it, and has spoken publicly at multiple engagements to help promote positivity and the good message about getting clean.
Bri
I met Bri on the streets of Kensington, a place known for its harsh realities. She was homeless, battling addiction, and had lost nearly everything—but what stood out to me was her warmth and resilience despite it all. We talked for hours, and I learned she’s a mother who still dreams of rebuilding her life. I knew I couldn’t walk away without helping. I connected her with resources, got her into a safe space, and have been walking alongside her on the path to recovery ever since. Bri’s story reminds me why I do what I do: everyone deserves a second chance.
Bobby Valiente
I first connected with Bobby during a TikTok live. He stood out when he commented, “Give me the ball and I’ll take it and run”—he just needed a chance to get sober.
With the support of the community, we raised enough to bring Bobby from New York to Massachusetts, where he entered treatment. Now, over two and a half years later, Bobby is alcohol-free, reunited with his family, working, going to school, and thriving. I’m so proud of him—and today, he’s paying it forward by helping others through The Good Project.
