Rudy

Rudy’s active use started when he was just 10 years old smoking pot and quickly escalated. By the time he was 12 he was sentenced to three years in a Juvenile Detention Center, being released at 15 left to run the streets, he became a mule transporting drugs for a family member. At 16 he discovered cocaine, which lead to using mushrooms and acid. His criminal background continued to grow, and he developed a reoccurring cycle of crimes and drugs, drugs, and crimes. His next state bid was when he was 18, sentenced to three years, and discovering heroin while in prison. In 2006 Rudy had his first introduction to Recovery when a Parole Officer wanted to do something different and he was sent to his first long term treatment facility. In 2008, feeling good, he left New York to go to Arizona, where he discovered new drugs: methamphetamine and black tar heroin, the cycle continued. During his most active addiction in 2009, Rudy returned to Albany, continued committing crimes, and ended up serving time in prison until September 2010. On his first day home, he robbed his neighbor, a breaking point- he began engaging in recovery. After 3 months of sobriety, charges were pressed by his neighbor, and he found himself again serving time- three years and three months. This time was different, Rudy remained sober during his prison stay. Rudy had a slip News Year’s Eve 2014 that landed him back to jail for thirty days. Upon release, Rudy went to treatment at Hope House - Bette Center. Where he stayed for 11 months. Rudy was in line at the Bette Center when he realized that everything was going well and finally, he wasn’t expecting everything to go wrong. At this moment he rediscovered hope. He was finally able to feel ‘normal’ in society without the use of drugs. Rudy called Second Chance Opportunities, Inc. and got placed in supportive recovery housing, in March 2015 he moved in and was gainfully employed at Star Roofing. Rudy was extremely committed to his recovery, which led him to his overnight position at Hope House, working with adolescence to give them some of the ‘hope’ he discovered on his journey. In 2016 after being sober for 2 years and being very confident in his own recovery, Rudy took the Recovery Coach Training and was hired as a full-time Recovery Coach at Second Chance Opportunities. Rudy has worked at Second Chance Opportunities to help others for the last 4 years. He has found his passion and enjoys helping others. His recovery foundation is largely the network and community support he has created around him something he is now able to share with others. In July of 2020, Rudy and his fiancé, Mollie became first-time homeowners and a few weeks later they were married. Rudy and Mollie are a beautiful example of what recovery looks like, anything is possible.