Moises Olivares

Since I was a teenager, I was involved with drugs and gangs, and I was in and out of juvenile facilities, which led me to a future of substance use and incarceration. The streets were ugly and unkind. My family no longer trusted me. I was lonely and suicidal. I would put the needle in my arm and ask God to let me die. I was hopeless. I went from a respectable man to a full-blown dope fiend. I did my last parole violation in LA County jail in 2017; it was then that I surrendered, prayed, and 

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asked God for direction. The whole time I was there, I heard,  “You know where to go and what to do; you’ve been here before.” I got on the bus, went straight to Pasadena, and enrolled in the Grandview Foundation. I had been to Grandview twice before but vowed that this time would be different. Insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different result. I had hit my bottom.

I realized that I could not change the past and understood that I had to separate myself from a lifestyle that was causing me harm. Grandview taught me to embrace and process my feelings, which continues to help me move forward in my recovery. I studied The Big Book, and my higher power led me to church. Today, God is number one in my life, and I surround myself with people who are sober and serve the lord.

Life after treatment is beautiful. Sobriety has reconnected me to my family. I’m currently working towards earning my GED and enrolled in classes to be a heavy equipment driver with the union. Today, I’m able to smile, not get offended, not use violence to resolve problems, and I’m a man of God. I go to church and help others with the word of God. 

I’m in a new, healthy relationship and have become a new father to a beautiful baby girl; she’s truly a blessing and gives new meaning to my life. I’m filled with emotions that a father’s supposed to feel, something I wasn’t able to experience with my other six children. Now that I’m sober, I’m able to enjoy every minute I spend with my daughter; when you’re high on drugs, even love is watered down. Now, with my new baby, love is indescribable – to be sober and to be a dad is an amazing thing.

My advice to men entering Grandview is to remain open to receiving knowledge from staff, to go to meetings, and to surround yourself with people who support your sobriety – you do not have to do this alone. Through church and my faith in God, I’m able to remain focused on what’s important in my life. Today, even my worst day is nothing compared to how it was when I was using drugs. Just because I’m sober and Christian doesn’t mean I don’t have bad days. Having a supportive community gives me the strength and hope for tomorrow.
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I want guys to know that they can do this! There will be challenges. With faith and hope, things will get better. Recovery restores the possibilities – whatever works for you – the Big Book, God, whatever helps you – redemption is possible.

Fun facts about Moises…

• Loves hiking and exercise, his favorite place to hike is Eaton Canyon.
• Has clocked more miles than he can count running the Rose Bowl with Frankie!
• Loves spending time with his children.
• Just learned he’s going to be a Grandad for the first time.
• Enjoys quiet time and watching a good movie.
• Loves the Raiders. He’s been to a few games and still treasures his one-year chip from Grandview with the Raider Skull.

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