I received a call from a nurse at Dignity Neighborhood Hospital. There was a patient who was admitted for alcohol-related illness, and he had been there before for the same condition. He requested a treatment program. The gentleman was about to get discharged and did not want to leave because he felt that he was sure to drink again if he returned to the van, in which he was sleeping for days.

I arrived within the one-hour time frame at the location. The nurse provided a brief description of her patient’s struggles. I went into the patient room introduced myself, and we began talking. I learned he was once in recovery and lived a happy productive life. He expressed wanting that “life back”. He understood that treatment was the required next step for this to happen. I expressed empathy and informed him I was a person in long-term recovery. He had such relief on his face.

During the next hour, we discussed forms of treatment he’s utilized in the past. I determined that in-patient treatment was the best option, which he really wanted. The Las Vegas Rescue Mission is  Foundation For Recovery’s community partner who provides a recovery program that includes housing for the participants of the Connect-ED Program. I was not able to get him enrolled until the next day, so the hospital allowed him to stay until the next morning.

I met him at the Las Vegas Rescue Mission the next morning at 9 a.m. (it was important to me that he receive a warm hand-off). I waited with him until 10 a.m. by which time he was assessed and successfully enrolled in the Las Vegas Rescue Mission’s recovery program. As of May 15, he is still in the program, and I visit him and receive updates about his progress. This individual had no hope 60 days ago, but thanks to Dignity Health Community Grant Program, he is on his way to recovery. In his own words, he is “grateful” for the Connect-ED program.