Jason's Journey from Homeless Addict to Recovery Advocate
- Colusa County Recovery
- Jul 1
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 14
The rumble of his SUV's engine was the only constant in Jason's life for sixteen long months. He drifted between Yuba and Colusa, his home reduced to the cluttered confines of his vehicle. Methamphetamine had been a cruel thief, pilfering everything he held dear: his apartment, his steady job, the love of his girlfriend, and the once-close ties to his family. He was lost, adrift in a fog of addiction and despair.
Spring of 2023 arrived, and with it, a faint flicker of hope. In May after countless nights spent battling his demons alone, Jason reached out for help. He entered rehab, a decision that felt both terrifying and like his last chance. The road to early recovery was grueling, paved with low self-esteem, painful self-reflection, and the slow, arduous process of rebuilding his life.
Today, Jason's world is vastly different. He's found a new rhythm, one fueled by sobriety and purpose. He now has a job and shares a home in Yuba with two sober roommates. He has also reconnected with his family, rebuilding relationships that once seemed irrevocably broken. He diligently attends support groups, both online and in-person, finding strength and camaraderie in shared experiences. "Every day I wake up with a sense of gratitude I never thought possible," Jason shares.
More than just attending, Jason has become a beacon for others. He volunteers as a chat room recovery moderator for Clean and Sober LIFE, a vital part of the Colusa County Recovery outreach. "Being able to help someone else find their way out of the darkness? That's everything," says Jason.
In this role, he shares his own story, offers encouragement, links to resources, and guides newcomers, helping them navigate the turbulent waters of early recovery and find the hope he once thought was lost forever. His past, once a source of personal struggle, is now a powerful tool for connection and healing. "My journey isn't just about my own recovery anymore," Jason affirms.
Jason is also interested in homeless advocacy. "This August, I plan to attend the Lived Experience Training Academy offered free through the National Coalition for the Homeless, that Colusa County Recovery told me about," says Jason.
"After that, I'll be participating i in the UNSHELTERED Advocacy Group. I want to use my experience of homelessness to help improve outcomes in the homeless assistance sector by amplifying our collective voices to reduce service gaps and systemic barriers to housing' to bring about positive change."
If Jason's story inspired you, we invite you to share your own. Contact Susan Wagenaar to learn more,
COLUSA COUNTY RECOVERY'S MISSION
"It's important to meet people impacted by homelessness where they're at, but not leave them where they're at." - Susan Wagenaar, Advocate, Colusa County Recovery
In April 2025, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California, led by Bill Essayli, announced a task force to investigate fraud and corruption involving funds allocated to address homelessness in Southern California and Central Coast counties. This task force is a collaborative effort involving the FBI, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General (HUD-OIG), and IRS Criminal Investigation.
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