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Keeping the Faith
at Imani House
When Steve Hoover graduated from the University of Missouri at
Columbia in 1972 with a degree in public administration, the last thing
he envisioned for himself was to be homeless and addicted to crack in
2006 at age 56. Granted, he was drinking daily during his college days
and experimented with a number of drugs.
"That's when I became a hippie!" he explains.
Nevertheless, he did hold down a job managing
the billing department at an insurance firm for
20 years. "I pretty much drank every day of my
life since I was 15," Steve admits. "I come from
a long line of alcoholics." The tipping point
for Steve came when the firm he worked for
reorganized and eliminated his position in 1995.
A string of dead-end jobs ensued and Steve
stepped up his drug and alcohol intake. "That's
when I began using crack cocaine, probably the
worst thing you can do. I was hungry, homeless
and hopeless." That's when he was guided to
Imani House by family members.
Imani House is SHS's adult substance abuse
treatment program. It offers a variety of treatment
programs, placing special focus on services to
African-American clients with an emphasis on
those with HIV as well as those with co-occurring
mental illness and/or homelessness. Imani House
therapists provide culturally competent treatment to their clients through the
African precepts espoused in Kwanzaa.Based on the Nguzo Saba (seven
principles in Swahili) Kwanzaa represents the values of African culture which
contribute to building and reinforcing community among African-Americans.
Those values are Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima
(Collective Work & Responsibility), Ujamma (Cooperative Economics), Nia
(Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity) and Imani (Faith).
According to Steve, the toughest part for him was admitting he had
a problem. "Can you believe I was living in Swope Park and smoking
crack every day and I still didn't think I had a
problem?" Still, Steve began applying himself
during his 90-day stay at Imani House. He
sensed that this was his last chance and he
began to immerse himself in the program,
reading the materials, completing the exercises
in the work book and participating in the
discussions. Daily, he was challenged to find
ways to control his anger, maintain sobriety and
prevent relapse. "I learned a lot about myself
- a lot of self-discovery," Steve reflected.
Upon graduation from the program, Steve
moved into a transitional home and secured a
position at a funeral home. "They trust me
driving their $50,000 limos and that feels
good to be trusted again – and I haven't
missed a day of work." Steve continues to
participate in outpatient programs through
both Imani House and Swope's Behavioral
Health Department. "Working with the
counselors is very inspirational to me and helps
me stay clean and sober," Steve said. He now lives in a place of his own and
volunteers at Imani house, helping in any way he can. He plans to apply
for a position at Imani after he has achieved two years of sobriety. "I want
to give back any way I can because if it wasn't for Imani, I'm sure I'd be in
jail or I'd be dead."
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