Princeton found his footing with support from ACCORD and C-HRT’s services. October 2025.
When Princeton and his son’s mother drove down to San Diego from LA one day in 2017, he had no idea how his life was about to change.
The birth of Princeton’s son was unplanned; Princeton had known his son’s mother for only a few months before she became pregnant. He recalled feeling excited to become a father, but also heavy due to the nature of the situation.
In San Diego, they got into an argument over a parenting disagreement. Princeton felt tired of having no control over his own life, his role as a father, or the family life he had envisioned, so he decided to stay in San Diego on his own.
Due to his sudden change in plans, Princeton had nowhere to go and ended up living on the street, but it wasn’t long before he found direction. While in the lunch line at Father Joe’s, recruiters offered him the chance to go to school with financial aid. “I was like, ‘alright, I'm homeless on the streets. The only way I'm gonna get off these streets, I'm gonna have to start and do something positive,’” he said.
He began his program and got a job while going to school, waking up every morning at 5 a.m. to pack up his tent and prepare for the day ahead.
Some things were looking up for Princeton, but the reality of his situation did not escape him. Still homeless and dealing with his choice to leave his family, Princeton turned to alcohol to cope with the mental weight of his decision.
After some time, Princeton moved into an apartment and became sober for several years. When his mother passed away in 2021, Princeton remained steady and did not turn back to alcohol even in his grief. But two years later in 2023, he got a phone call that his brother had passed, as well. “So, then I got back to drinking and I couldn't stop. I got careless.”
Substance use disorder (SUD) overtook Princeton’s life and before long he got a DUI. His aunt, who helped raise him, passed away and his grief led him to drink at the funeral. “I got into it with my sister out there, and so she wouldn't let me sleep at her house, so my drunk self tried to drive all the way back from LA to San Diego,” he said. “I hit two cars.”
Princeton’s sister bailed him out of jail, and he was ordered to complete a six-month program at ECS ACCORD (Alcohol Counseling Community Outreach Drop-In) DUI program.
ACCORD was a positive force in Princeton’s life. “The staff there were very helpful, my instructor was very considerate of me and my peers there,” he said. “That's why I'm here right now, I'm recovered, I'm doing amazing. I know better.”
Princeton’s recovery journey had begun, but he had landed back in a state of homelessness. In 2024, Princeton was living in a large shelter. He shared that it was difficult for him to continue recovery in that environment. “A typical shelter, you're not going to get no peace there,” he said. “You can be doing everything positive... there's just too many negative distractions.”
The security of C-HRT allows residents to focus on bettering their lives. October 2025.
Fortunately, Family Health Centers referred him to ECS C-HRT Safe Haven. Princeton was grateful to have “something more grounded; somewhere where I can thrive and work on myself.”
Funny enough, Princeton did not know that ACCORD and C-HRT were both ECS programs, but both just so happened to be there to give him support when he needed it. “That's pretty divine,” he commented.
The safety and stability of C-HRT was a “golden opportunity” for Princeton. “You got a free chance to really get your life together,” he said.
While it wasn’t easy and he stumbled from time to time in the beginning, Princeton worked hard to better himself and now he is in recovery, working, and feeling great.
Princeton shared how the comfort of C-HRT and the variety of amenities, provide much needed support for residents. Companionship is also a key part of the C-HRT support system. “I had a number of heartfelt conversations, motivated conversations from some of the most broken people here uplifting me at times and just gave me inspiration and motivation to go above my means or above the clouds,” Princeton shared. “There's a good spirit here. A great spirit here.”
Princeton’s experience has inspired him to give back to others. Whether it's purchasing and setting up a tent for a homeless man he sees every day, so he has shelter from the rain or buying a bag of ice for a woman in need, he aims to give back as much as he can.
He also takes pride in doing his part to care for the C-HRT facility, taking out the trash, vacuuming, and keeping his home clean. “You got to take care of your home,” he said. “This is our place. I'm like, ‘give back the blessing.’ The blessing gave you a bed and a blanket.”
C-HRT provides more than just physical housing. It gives people like Princeton a place to work on themselves and create new beginnings.
“I have self-obedience... [I] stay calm, stay peaceful, especially underneath pressure. Especially when [the world is] trying to test you, just stay kind,” Princeton shared. “The world is what you make it here.”
ECS offers a variety of programs, all with the goal of breaking barriers and transforming communities. Learn more about the services of ACCORD and C-HRT Safe Haven that uplift our neighbors in need.
