FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Paul Brouillette spent nearly 17 years working as a cook, building a life that included a marriage, children and a home.
After experiencing depression, Brouillette turned to alcohol. He eventually lost his job and marriage, along with time with his children.
“Life kinda did its thing and got in its way and I got in my own way. Working here is my way of giving back, staying in service,” Brouillette said.
He said he eventually realized he needed to make a change.
“I had allowed life to become unmanageable. I fought going to a program for a long time and I had that light switch moment,” Brouillette said.
Committed to recovering for his children, Brouillette found Poverello House.
“In a way, it found me too,” he said.
Brouillette said the program provided the structure and support he needed.
“When I came here, it was with open arms and a structure. Everyone that comes into this program starts in the cafe and you immediately start giving back. it helps humble and build a routine,” he said. “It gave me the time and space and camaraderie, the tools and support, the help that I needed.”
After successfully completing the program, Brouillette was hired as a Poverello House staff member. He now uses his culinary experience to enhance the services offered at Papa Mike’s Cafe.
“They say love what you do, and you never work a day in your life,” Brouillette said.
Poverello House Director of Rehabilitation Nicco Capozzi said service is a key part of the organization’s approach to helping people overcome addiction.
“It rips families apart, it rips communities apart and it rips the soul apart but what we do here it circles back to the service part,” Capozzi said. “Our guys aren’t used to being of service to people. They’re used to taking advantage of the system. They’re used to being taken advantage of.”
The men’s rehabilitation program lasts 12 months, including six months of inpatient treatment. During that time, clients alternate between serving at Papa Mike’s Cafe and attending classes every other day.
“We have everything from music therapy to art therapy. Of course we work the steps,” Capozzi said.
The program’s 12th step focuses on serving the community with the same service and compassion participants received.
That call to serve… a tribute to the cafe’s namesake.
“Tying shoelaces. It includes handing water bottles out. It includes getting extra clothing for our guests. It includes holding hands with a kid that’s a little afraid of standing out in the courtyard,” Capozzi said.
The Call for Hope telethon begins Thursday, and donations are now being accepted. Every dollar raised goes back to services offered at Poverello House.
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