Kenny

“I was alone and living on the streets for 18 months. Now I'm working on my sobriety and I have a job. ReVive saved my life.”

Meet Kenny, a ReVive community member who found hope thanks to the support of generous individuals like you.

Kenny grew-up in Chicago, graduated from high school and played college baseball for a couple years at SIU. Two decades of hard work in the construction industry made it easy for him to ignore the traumas experienced during childhood, including violence and the death of his alcoholic father by suicide.

When a co-worker introduced him to heroin, Kenny’s life unraveled. Addiction quickly took hold, followed by nearly 10 years in and out of jail, prison and rehab. Just as he regained control of his life and began working again, a work place injury left him with broken ribs, broken wrist, a cracked jaw and pain.  Doctor prescribed pain medications set him off again on an 18-month rip.

Living alone on the streets and sleeping on the CTA Blue Line, Kenny has been stabbed, robbed and beaten-up several times. Safety has been hard to find. On the streets is also where he met Rhett, a ReVive community member who found hope and encouragement on his own journey to better health while experiencing homelessness. Rhett invited Kenny to ReVive.

The ReVive team embraced Kenny with kindness and treated him with the respect and dignity that all deserve. No judgement, just patience and acceptance of people where they are. Team members gave Kenny space to sort things out and develop trust and relationships at his own pace.

 I feel safe when I come to ReVive, there is no judgement. 

The ReVive team helped Kenny regain his id cards and obtain health insurance. More importantly, by embracing him as a member of the ReVive community, they helped him regain hope and belonging. Through continued support, Kenny found a new job in building maintenance, continues to work on his sobriety and hopes to move into his own place soon. Kenny is giving back to the ReVive community by visiting frequently and offering support to other community members. 

Our Programs

Are you at risk of becoming homeless? Learn more about our programs and find out how our services can help you move towards self-sufficiency.