9/22/25

Irene's story

I you I can't even begin to tell you. It

was Billy was a little bit easier.

Michael was

I'm I'm

the fact that he's here is is just a

miracle from God. I do believe that.

I've been trying to write Father Frank a

letter for three years. And

you know, I know it was it was hard in

the beginning for them and stuff, but

they've changed so much and it's just

amazing to me. I did not think

Michael would would he was in pretty bad

shape. And um I kind of loved him

through it. I didn't really do any of

the tough love until the very end. And

then he said to me, you know, he was

really really bad at that point. And

Billy had called me and said, "Don't

pick up the phone cuz then it's going

to" And I didn't. And he got himself to

St. Charles. And then I think Charlie

helped him get to Hope House and it has

changed his life dramatically. I think

Father Frank has a heart of gold. So

does Charlie. You know, so does Tim. So

does every time I've come here, it's

just they are just

incredible. And you know, Michael has

gotten a lot out through his therapy and

stuff like that, things that I guess

have bothered him and and he got a lot

of it out. And it's he's just so happy

now. It's such a change to see him

laughing and you know because he was he

was really bad. Michael's still living

here. He said I don't want to I'm not

ready to leave. He feels like this is

his family. I mean I'm I'm always here

but he feels like you know his dad is in

Florida. So he I think he just wants to

stay because he feels very safe here.

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