Bob was working in the biotech industry as a senior manufacturing operator and earning a very good salary. "One of the things I think it's important for people to understand is that homelessness can happen to anybody. So many people are probably a paycheck away from being in a similar situation," Bob states. "I had a career at one point in my life. All of that's gone because of booze and drugs. I wasn't able to get sober at that time and I kept settling for less and less and less, until finally, I was unemployable, homeless."

"I went to detox and from detox I went to a 28-day program for alcohol dependence." Bob recounts being scared upon leaving rehab, "The night before I was scheduled to get released from [rehab], I was filled with fear - and not fear about drinking, because I have been able to maintain my sobriety since I was released - but fear of not knowing where I was going." Bob says a friend in the area told him about Cross Roads House.

"I'd like to think that maybe coming here was an opportunity for me to help at least one person - to share my experience to try to help somebody else."

Since his arrival at Cross Roads House, Bob has been very helpful to both staff and residents, volunteering to clean or work in the kitchen, encouraging others to go to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings,and lending a listening ear to those in need. "I don't know what God's plan is for me, I really don't. Is it to help somebody? Maybe. I don't want anybody to have to suffer like I did. Or if they are, you know, maybe I can give them a hand up and help them out."

Now sober, Bob is staying in the transitional shelter at Cross Roads House, working full-time, and saving for an apartment. "[Being homeless] is something that's never happened to me before. I never thought it would," Bob says. "I accept responsibility for everything that's happened in my life, now it's just time for me to fix it and this place is affording me the opportunity to be able to fix that in time."