MEET OUR TEAM

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 My name is Valentin Reyes, I have clean date of July 16th, 2022. For many years I have dealt with addiction but not only was I an addict I was a homeless addict. During that period of my life I was lost physically, emotionally, and mentally. It seemed like everyday I woke up, it was for no reason. I was miserable, lonely, and lost with no sense in direction to go. I had no values, didn’t care about anything besides getting high and surviving down in the river bottom. Many people say that once you go down to the river bottom you don’t come back out. And for a long time I believed it. But then one day it all changed. I ended up getting arrested for a crime that I committed. When I had gone to court I was offered rehab and the ROC program for Riverside County. At first I thought I was paying for my actions but after completing rehab and starting the ROC program I realized that it was my awakening and a second chance at life. It was my time to start my own foundation so I can keep building on it. The ROC program gave me the tools that I couldn’t provide for myself to put in my belt. The tools that I carry around on a daily basis help me keep my foundation strong. When things get rough I immediately start looking in my bag to find what I need to repair what needs to be fixed. The foundation I have today has helped me rebuild relationships that I had burned and also it has helped me to build new relationships with people anywhere I go. I went from being a nobody to being someone people can depend on and talk to. I’m a house manger at Nellie’s Way Sober living, I’m furthering my education to be a drug and alcohol counselor, and I work in a drug and alcohol treatment facility. Being in this sober living has saved my life. It has provided me a safe place to rest my head, safe place to heal from all the damage I have done to myself, and has taught me how to communicate when in need. This sober living has been my sanctuary!  With all this being provided and all that I’m learning has taught me how to be a father. I have a 4yr old daughter. I’ve learned how to be present in her life. I’m learning how to be a role model.   All the great things that have happened since I’ve been clean and in Recovery have a lot to do with Susan and Vincent Thayer! they have are great role models and provided this Sanctuary for both myself and my daughter. 

My name is Jarett Barrera, and I am a sober living house manager who found true purpose through recovery. For many years, I struggled to find peace and direction in my life. Addiction had taken hold, leaving me lost, broken, and uncertain about the future. Making the decision to get clean was the most difficult choice I have ever made, but it was also the most important turning point in my life. Recovery did not simply save me; it transformed me. It gave me a new sense of meaning and a reason to keep moving forward. The path to sobriety was far from easy. It demanded honesty, perseverance, and a willingness to face uncomfortable truths about myself. Throughout this journey, I was fortunate to be surrounded by people who believed in me when I couldn’t believe in myself. They held me accountable, showed me compassion, and provided a safe and structured environment where I could heal and rebuild my life. Their support was invaluable, and it inspired me to dedicate my life to helping others who are walking a similar path. Today, as a sober living house manager and a registered drug and alcohol technician working at a treatment center, I work to create environments that balance structure with compassion. I strive to provide the same kind of safe space that helped me heal, a place where individuals can learn responsibility, rediscover who they are beneath the addiction, and develop the skills necessary for lasting recovery. I understand firsthand how difficult it is to start over, to rebuild trust with family and friends, and to fight for a better life. This experience fuels my passion and guides my work every day. Recovery, in my view, is about far more than simply abstaining from substances. It is about learning how to live again, with honesty, consistency, and purpose. I lead by example, demonstrating that real and lasting change is possible when effort is combined with support. Watching residents grow in confidence, regain self-respect, and start to believe in their own potential is the greatest reward I could ask for. Their progress reminds me why this work is so important. Beyond my professional life, I am a proud father to a remarkable 12-year-old son. Being present and engaged in his life is one of my highest priorities. My recovery journey has not only changed me, but it has also allowed me to become the father and role model I always wanted to be. My family is my foundation, and their support keeps me grounded and motivated every single day. Looking toward the future, I have a clear and ambitious dream. I intend to continue growing in the field of recovery by going back to school to become a therapist. I want to deepen my understanding, expand my skills, and be able to provide even greater support to those seeking healing. I believe that with empathy, education, and dedication, everyone has the potential for lasting transformation. This work is not just a job for me, it is my calling. Recovery gave me a second chance, and now I have the privilege of giving back what was freely given to me. My mission is to help others see that recovery is not about perfection; it is about progress, hope, and becoming the person you were always meant to be. For myself, for my family, and for those I serve, I am committed to walking this path every day with honesty, compassion, and unwavering dedication.