MONTICELL, N.Y. -- Joyce Bailey came to Catholic Charities in January. She had been a drug addict for 35 years but was ready to get clean for good.
“When I came here, I wanted to run," said Bailey, who lives in Newburgh. "The staff told me to give myself a chance; 'You deserve it.' I’m tired of it. I have grandkids that I want to see, so my journey is just starting."
Bailey stuck with the program, and three months later she's clean. Today, she works as Trusted Servant, mentoring new clients of Catholic Charities that are ready to get their life back on track.
On Thursday, Bailey served her story to a crowd of dozens as Cardinal Timothy Dolan listened from a close distance.
"Most of the time, you think people are here for rehabilitation. They're here under distress, they're eager to get out, they're kind of crabby," Cardinal Dolan said. "These people are happy. These people are live. These people are filled with hope. These people are grateful to be here."
Cardinal Dolan then offered his blessings to the new Catholic Charities office on Broadway in Monticello. He also toured the facility with local leaders and clergy members, speaking with other clients like Bailey.
“These folks will tell me we’ve risen from the dead," Dolan said. "We’re putting a death to that old life, and we’re rising to a new life thanks to this place.”
The visit comes with recognition of when Catholic Charities Community Services of Orange County took over the recovery center last April. The facility includes a 16-bed primary care unit, a 30-bed halfway house and a 24-hour crisis center.
“As we looked to Catholic Charities’ future in Sullivan County, we’re working with parishes and local officials and community members to identify where Catholic Charities can help enhance the quality of life for residents,” said Catholic Charities Services of Orange County Executive Director Dr. Dean Scher.
Dolan says the types of services Catholic Charities provides will help bring the community together, become partners and work toward a common goal. It's a message Bailey echoes to anyone aiming to get clean.
“Give yourself a chance. It’s worth it. It’s really worth it. I’m really glad and blessed that I came,” Bailey said.