Randy's Redemption

Growing up in Brooklyn, Randy was a promising student who planned on enrolling in college. But an untreated mental illness led to substance abuse, and he dropped out. Randy then spent many years in and out of prison while battling his addiction. He feared he would never break the vicious cycle of substance use and incarceration.

In 2009, Randy learned about Project Renewal’s Parole Support and Treatment Program (PSTP) as he was being released from prison.

PSTP is the only program to combine transitional housing with targeted support services for parolees with mental illness. PSTP provided Randy with an apartment, which gave him a safe place for a fresh start, and with psychological counseling from Project Renewal staff, he found stability for the first time in his adult life.

Randy credits Robert Blocker, PSTP Director, for guiding him through his recovery. “Project Renewal and Program Director Robert Blocker helped me in a way nobody had before,” he says.

Randy has lived with his partner in Brooklyn for over 10 years, and has a successful career in social services helping others —just like Project Renewal helped him.