Kelvin's Story
Kelvin Lee has observed many milestones in the 13 years since graduating from treatment for drug addiction at Clitheroe Center’s residential treatment facility:
- Attending his daughter’s high school graduation.
- Buying a car and house.
- Starting a Fairbanks nonprofit.
This year, as Kelvin approaches his 50th birthday, he’s added one more milestone to the list: returning to Clitheroe - this time, as a good example.
The last Saturday in March, dozens of residents gathered in a meeting room after lunch, men and women forming a polite circle to hear from their guest. In his fashionable suit, complete with tie pin and shiny church shoes, Kelvin’s appearance set him apart. But the content of his softly spoken words made an instant connection
When he came to Clitheroe, Kelvin told them, he was a crack addict who had already been through eight other treatment programs. “This,” he said, “is the only treatment facility I completed.”
Kelvin told how he’d been involved in crime as a young man in Alaska, how he’d moved out of state and tried crack cocaine—and the consequences, from addiction to incarceration, to numerous treatment programs and relapses.
It was at Clitheroe that a counselor encouraged him to see his frequent failures from another perspective, as valuable life experience that could help others.
That change in perspective, he said, helped bring about a recovery that’s lasted 13 years and has come with great rewards. “Today, my greatest gift is being able to take care of myself, my house and my family,” he said. He is also president of No Limits Inc., a post-prison adult re-entry program in Fairbanks, where he enjoys being “walking hope to the hopeless.”
Today, he says: “I’m proud of Kelvin Lee.”
Others in the room could also one day say those words, he announced. “It’s possible to live this lifestyle,” he said. “But you’re going to need to do the work.”
It’s also important to understand that recovering from addiction doesn’t automatically keep bad things from happening, he told the group. “You aren’t going to always have favorable circumstances, and that’s OK,” he said, adding that it is how you respond to those circumstances that makes the difference.
"The clients were almost awed by Kelvin and the message of hope he shared," said Clitheroe program director Major Sherry McWhorter. "Kelvin's life speaks to the immense benefits of substance abuse treatment services - truly a lifesaver in many cases."
Several residents followed up to ask their guest speaker questions. One of them, Coral, stayed behind for a one-on-one conversation. For her, Kelvin’s talk came shortly before her expected discharge—a transition that scares her—so she wanted some additional tips.
Coral’s life has been complicated not only by addiction, but also by a painful spinal condition and mental illness. As she put it, “I’m blessed to be here. Blessed to be alive.”
The pep talk inspired her to find her own success, she said. For her, this will be measured in finding a place to live, enjoying a recently renewed relationship with her parents, and setting a positive example for her 16-year-old brother.
“Clitheroe’s given me the tools,” she said. “It’s hard. But I want a life worth living.”
(Note: It is Clitheroe's policy to respect all clients' right to privacy. We are grateful to the clients and former clients who have agreed to share their stories here through words or images; doing so is never a requirement of any Salvation Army program.)