High School Equivalency (HSE) Preparation Graduate
“I went from being sentenced to having hope. Now I can give back to others what was given to me.”
After more than a decade of substance abuse programs and cycles of probation and parole, Mikell B. decided it was time to get serious about his recovery and his future. In a positive twist of fate, Mikell’s history with addiction is what sparked his career journey.
“Getting jobs was not a problem, but keeping jobs was hard,” Mikell said. “My biggest struggle was not knowing my purpose.”
While living in a group facility and getting revaccinate to society, he learned about the Capital District Educational Opportunity Center (EOC). Mikell wanted to get his High School Equivalency diploma, so he enrolled in the EOC’s High School Equivalency Preparation program to get ready for the GED exam.
“I felt good attending school again and my self-worth went up,” Mikell expressed. “Sometimes I felt like I couldn’t do it and that I wasn’t going to pass, but my teacher’s support and enthusiasm motivated me to keep going back and keep practicing.”
Mikell finished his program faster than he expected and he passed the GED exam on the first try.
“Things started to click and the more I went through it, I realized I understood more than I thought I did,” he said. “There are people at the EOC who believe in you and will help you believe in yourself. Know that you’re worth it!”
Mikell’s journey through addiction and recovery has brought him full-circle. He now works as a certified addiction recovery coach and peer advocate at New Choices Recovery Center in Schenectady.
“I never thought I’d be working with judges and law officials in the ‘back room’ where they ask my opinions on alternatives to being locked up,” he said. “I even work with some of my old parole officers.”
Mikell is working toward becoming a peer supervisor. Eventually he wants to be a residential director and oversee a rehabilitation center like the ones that helped him overcome his obstacles.
“I found my purpose,” Mikell shared. “I went from being sentenced to having hope. Now I can give back to others what was given to me.”