For George, it was a serious car accident at age 20. He was prescribed painkillers for his injuries and became addicted. When the prescriptions suddenly stopped, George turned to pills purchased on the street, unaware they were laced with fentanyl. Over the years, his addiction led to the loss of his home, savings and the trust of his family.
In September 2025, George came to The Hoboken Shelter. He is remarkably open about what followed, including his struggle to stay sober.
Our Clinical Case Coordinator, Norma Rosario (featured above), was there to support him on his journey to becoming housed. “She never left me,” George said. When he told Norma he had relapsed and needed help, she found a rehabilitation program that could take him. “But she never left me. I love her as a sister,” he added.
That ongoing support is an important part of the Shelter’s work.
We meet Guests where they are and help them find their way forward.
For George, the Shelter became a place to sleep, eat and begin rebuilding, but it also became a support system he could return to when things became difficult. He learned patience here, and that progress sometimes meant continuing to work toward a goal even when it didn’t happen as quickly as he had hoped.
“You just have to be patient, and you have to still be on track and do what you're supposed to be doing,” he said.
Because of your support and George's hard work, he's moving into a home of his own this week and looking forward to a life that includes doing something good for others.