RED SONGBIRD FOUNDATION TESTIMONIALS

Dear Hilary, 

This evening I had the privilege of hearing you speak in Danville, CA. I have been clean and sober for 45 years, am a master’s level certified addictions counselor and I happen to be the executive director of San Damiano Retreat (a Franciscan retreat center) in Danville, CA. I have worked for many years for people who are dual-diagnosed with both mental illness and addiction. In addition, I worked in corrections where I founded the first treatment program for men inside of a medium security prison in Massachusetts and also created the women's addiction education treatment program in Hampden County Massachusetts, also a medium security prison. I am a trauma-informed therapist and I believe that without that component our chances of helping traumatized women is negligible.  

When I heard you tonight, not only did you have every women in the room identifying with you--and most of the men, too--but you gave them incredible hope. You gave them hope that they will they not be suicidal or live in a frozen state of depression. You gave them hope that they can realize freedom from the pain they’ve been living in and...oh yes, and their dreams, too.  

First of all, I don't expect you to remember me. I was one of hundreds of people who came up to you tonight after the meeting. I did give you my card, however, and I invited you to come and work with us on a trauma-informed retreat (preferably a hybrid retreat, both in-person and online to reach as many people as possible. I would consider it a privilege to hear from you by phone, text or email. 

Jim Greer
Director of San Damiano Retreat

To all those who believe an addict, is still a person worthy of help and a chance-

My incredible son Brock, has been struggling with addiction for all of his adult life. Today, he is a 28 year old amazing, healthy, content and alive man who is flourishing in his recovery and his life! All of this wonderful, is a direct result of the extraordinary opportunity that The Red Songbird Foundation provided to Brock. Along with the support and compassionate determination of Ethan Citron, coupled with this incredible scholarship, my son is alive today!

Brock’s first attempt at sobriety was in September of 2016, at a rehab in California, after many years of using. Since then he has had numerous amounts of short sobriety after treatment, only to relapse, overdose, then start the entire grueling process over. I have lost count of his attempts to get clean and the programs he attended, but my heart has never forgotten the pain or stopped loving him. I am a single Mom and raised three wonderful children on my own. I had exhausted every penny I had taking care of Brock’s life and treatment over the years, hoping one would finally stick with him and make the difference. I reached a point in January of 2021, where I could no longer help him financially. I had nothing left and had lost everything. All I could offer him was my love and my couch to sleep on. I somehow thought love would finally conquer all. This however, proved not to be so. Addiction and the mental illnesses that accompany it, are the strongest desires and emotions ever for a person who has found this hell, their only world. After months of him using in our home, his sister and I had to make the hardest decision ever, and kick him out. He decided to return to California. When I wrapped my arms around him on June 23, 2021 and said goodbye, I honestly felt it would be the last time I’d ever touch my son alive again or even hear his voice. I held him tight and took long, deep breathes, so I would never forget how he smelled. I didn’t want to let go. I felt I had let him down and turned my back on him. But I knew I could not survive myself if I continued to be part of his life in active addiction. I knew I had given all I could. He landed in California and went on a 20 day drug run. Brock had been an IV user for almost 4 years now. I spent 20 days not knowing if he were alive or dead. On his Dad’s death anniversary, July 13th, Brock texted late at night and said he was on his way to detox. I didn’t believe him, how was this possible? Neither of us had any money and he didn’t have insurance. He said that weeks ago, while he was still home in Missouri, he filled out a scholarship application he ran across for help. He was so desperate to get clean. He told me he had been in contact with Ethan, and with his encouragement and guidance along with the scholarship he applied for and was offered, he was going into treatment and would never go back to the life of addiction he was living in. The next day I got a call from Northbound Treatment, I felt for the first time in forever, I could breathe again knowing Brock was alive and safe.

All of this was possible, only because of this astonishing scholarship program Red Songbird provided him with. He detoxed, completed treatment with Northbound, then moved into a sober living and IOP program with TRUST in Santa Ana. Today he is sober, happy and a contributing man to the world, who is paying it forward and helping others who are struggling with addiction and helping them begin their journey in recovery. He has a purpose, he is working in the industry and I am seeing him grow into the man he was meant to be. It is incredible to see this happening. I had given up on him, but Red Songbird and Ethan Citron did not. We are all eternally grateful for this amazing foundation and the work they do. This program saved his life and our family. We were lost, hurting and hopeless. Almost a decade of addiction will shatter many lives and relationships. None of us have ever felt more positive about the future then we do today! Thank you Red Songbird, your foundation is an absolute blessing for those who have exhausted all options, and are unable to afford the help and care they need to survive. This foundation and their program 100% saved my son’s life. They provided the foundation that he needed to grow and contribute positively not only to his life, but to everyone’s life he touches now. We will be forever grateful for this opportunity you have given to Brock and our family! Thank you.

Elizabeth D