Director’s Corner

Efrain Lozada

Program Director, St. Francis House ‘Room to Grow’ Recovery Support Center

Hello everyone, I’m Efrain Lozada, Program Director of the St. Francis House ‘Room to Grow’ Recovery Support Center. I’d like to express my appreciation for all of the support and love demonstrated over these past two years since we’ve opened. Without the dedication of the members, many of whom who visit us daily, we would not have seen the tremendous successes and progress I feel lucky to have witnessed during my time here.

The center first opened on October 21st in 2019 and has become a sanctuary for those who are experiencing homelessness and struggling with active addiction. We offer refuge and support for those who are in recovery, those in need of solitude and those who are avoiding places and things that may cause relapse. Under the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services, this center, along with 26 additional centers throughout Massachusetts, have successfully saved and changed lives. Over these past two years, I’ve seen miracles happen because people see and trust our center as a safe place where they can access the support they need to change and rebuild their lives.

Before the center opened, I remember saying to leadership that I’d be happy if even two people showed up on the first day. To my surprise, we had 24 members come in that day. From then, the center has continued to fill up. In our first year we had between 70-80 members come through the center daily. When COVID was at its peak, we were the only center in Massachusetts to remain in full operation to provide members with a safe place to continue their recovery.

I still don’t know how I got to be the director of such an incredible center at a great organization like St. Francis House, but I am so grateful. How is it that someone who grew up in Chelsea, MA as an honor roll student ended up living a life of homelessness starting at the age of 21, all the way up until 12 years ago?

I’m now 55 years old with 11.5 years of recovery from drugs and homelessness under my belt. During these years I graduated from Bunkerhill Community College, went on to attend Springfield College, have gained the love and trust of my family, respect of my coworkers and best of all, I have a home. What a miracle.

Today I live a life of recovery. I’ve pulled away from people, places and things that may cause me to relapse. On a daily basis I ask my higher power, “Lord, help me remember the pain and misery I went through so I can live today with a grateful heart so I never go back.”

“Freedom means the opportunity to be what we never thought we would be.”

Nelson Mandela