Finding Freedom from Addiction
Happy New Year from all of us at Serenity Street and may everyone find freedom from addiction like I have! My name is Jed Hopler. I’m a 2022 graduate of this incredible program and have been privileged to serve as the Resident Manager since February 2023. My journey to sobriety has been long and challenging—after over two decades of battling alcohol and drug addiction, I finally found the hope and healing I desperately needed here at Serenity Street. This place became the setting for my miracle, and today, I am honored to give back to the mission that saved my life.
How Serenity Street Works
The Serenity Street program is designed to strengthen men spiritually, vocationally, and relationally—three critical pillars for anyone seeking recovery. Addiction is a disease of loneliness, and for much of my adult life, I felt lost, isolated, and hopeless. Without a spiritual connection, I was unable to break free from the cycle of pain. For years, I was enslaved to alcoholism, trying and failing to find relief. Dozens of treatment programs couldn’t provide the lasting change I sought. But Serenity Street offered a template for growth and success that truly worked.
Here, the combination of Bible studies, church involvement, 12-Step recovery, gainful employment, and financial accountability helped me grow—not only as a man in recovery but as a person of faith. These principles were transformative when I was a client, and they continue to guide me in my daily life. Serenity Street gave me the tools I needed to rebuild my life on a foundation of faith, hope, and purpose.
Reflecting on Growth
Looking back on 2024, it’s incredible to see how far we’ve come as a community. Last year, we updated our website, hosted another successful Soberfest in September, and strengthened partnerships with treatment centers and staff. While our numbers have been lower since COVID, our proven model continues to change lives for those willing to trust God in the process.
December was a particularly special time for our community. The Serenity Street Christmas party brought together alumni, residents, and their families, and it was a beautiful testament to the power of God and the miracles of recovery. Being surrounded by so many who have found victory through this program reminded me of why this mission is so important.
I spent nearly twenty years trying to get sober, but it wasn’t until I found God at Serenity Street that my life truly began to change. Recovery, at its core, is about building a deep and abiding faith in a Creator who is always good, always present, and always working for our best. Today, I trust God completely and have seen Him move powerfully in this community.
Faith in the Future
As we step into 2025, I am filled with hope and expectation for what’s ahead. The men who come through this program experience true freedom—freedom from addiction and freedom to live the lives they were created for. I can’t imagine a greater calling than being part of this mission, and I am confident that the Lord will continue to bless our efforts, strengthen our faith, and grow the love we have for one another and for the men who will come here to heal.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us. May God bless you in 2025 and beyond!
– Jed Hopler
Resident Manager, Serenity Street
