Tony

Tony’s story began in Cuba, where he was born into a stable, loving family.  That stability shifted when he moved to the United States at age 12, a transition that set him on a different path.  Like many New Yorkers navigating adversity, Tony’s story wasn’t linear, but it eventually led him to Project Renewal.

In 2017, that connection became life-changing in the most literal sense.  Tony’s daughter, Gwendolyn, used a Narcan kit he had received through Project Renewal to reverse an overdose.  Tony called it a “huge wake-up call” – the turning point that set his recovery in motion. 

That moment could have been Tony’s entire story, but he turned it into the beginning.

Project Renewal’s approach is built around the idea that New Yorkers experiencing crisis deserve more than just a single intervention – they deserve a full system of support that meets them where they are and helps them build somewhere to go.  Our staff administer Narcan and provide treatment, recovery, housing, and employment programs designed to give New Yorkers like Tony a foundation for long-term stability, not just a moment of rescue.  Crisis response combined with sustained, affirming care is what allows people to rebuild.  

For Tony, that rebuilding took shape through treatment and ongoing counseling.  Recovery is rarely a straight line, but Tony put in the work and the results speak for themselves.  Tony is a father of three, he has surpassed 23 months of sobriety, and has a full-time job.  Rather than keep his story to himself, Tony has chosen to share it by stepping into the role of motivational speaker to inspire others who might be standing where he once stood. His willingness to speak about his experience reflects the same resilience that carried him through recovery.

“The Project Renewal Staff saved my life,” Tony says.  “Today, I’m living life to the fullest.”