Jachin lived for years with undiagnosed PTSD and managed the symptoms by self-medicating – until he got tired of being sick and tired. He came to Alpha Omega after he finished a 90-day substance abuse program at the VA Medical Center at Memphis.

After years of trying to stay sober and out of trouble on his own, Melvin came home and checked into the VA Medical Center at Memphis substance abuse program. For the first time in many years, he understood what sobriety was all about. When it was time to leave the VA, he asked to be placed into a program that would help him maintain & grow in his sobriety. He was referred to Alpha Omega Veterans Services in 2004.

For many years my life was like quicksand slowly sucking me down. Until I went to Alpha Omega for help - they saved my life. Mr. Walker, Kevin Ferrell, and the other staff members treated me with love and kindness. Kevin Ferrell became the big brother I never had growing up. I owe all that I am to Alpha Omega. I’ve been clean off drugs and alcohol for almost four years. 

Alpha Omega truly cared about the veterans they were trying to help and as a veteran most of us feel like a lot of people don’t really care, it’s lip service at best. AOVS was started by a mother which is a love you can’t manufacture. It was never about what you have or don’t have but how can we help. They gave me the opportunity to heal and stand on my own two feet and inspired hope, set goals and go after them. They introduced me to the Peer Recovery field and after becoming Certified, I was given a chance to be Alpha Omega’s Certified Peer Recovery Specialist; which I have done for more than 12 years. If I’m blessed to see January 18th I will have 15 years clean and sober the first time, now it’s my turn to give back what was freely given to me. My life is 100% better than 2008 and for that I’m truly blessed.