Tools for a Joyful LIfe

Tools for a Joyful Life in Recovery

Rohi Rivers is an entrepreneur. And a fantastic cook. He’s also a fiancé and will tie the knot in October.

Three years ago, he didn’t have a roof over his head.

“I was homeless and penniless. You might as well say hopeless,” Rohi said.

At that time, Rohi was staying in a substance abuse recovery center. He didn’t think he’d have a home to return to after treatment. But then he got connected to Benjamin Johnson, a transition support specialist with Cardinal Innovations Healthcare.

“When I met Ben, everything changed,” he said.

A New Start

Ben helped Rohi apply to the Transitions to Community Living (TCL) program. TCL helps people with certain health diagnoses move to independent housing. Specifically, it serves those with serious mental health challenges.

TCL is different from other housing programs. It’s more than just arranging leases or rental agreements. Instead, TCL supports the whole person: their health, their dreams and their feeling of belonging in the community.

Through Ben and TCL transition coordinator Jennifer Gomes, Rohi found housing. His team also connected him to mental health and primary care providers.

“They helped me get the assistance I needed to build a foundation,” Rohi said. “They gave me the tools I needed to become productive. And not only that, they also worked with me to help me get an understanding of how to use them.” Three Coping Skills That Changed Rohi’s Life

Coping skills are key to maintaining substance use recovery. Rohi shared with us the coping skills he’s personally found to be most useful: meditation, journaling, and prayer.

“Sometimes we can get stuck,” he said. “Meditation gives you the opportunity to regain focus. It helps us reflect on how our decisions will affect us in the long term.”

Rohi also journals frequently. “When we see things we want to do or have done on paper, we look at our lives from a different perspective. Journaling helps us reach our goals.”

And the most important habit for Rohi: “Prayer. It has really changed my character. When my character changed, my thinking changed. My whole way of life changed. It doesn’t matter what faith you have.”

How Rohi Gives Back

Giving back to your community can be an effective coping skill, too. Rohi gives back through volunteer work and his new construction company, R&R Services LLC.

“So many people who came from the walk of life I came from can’t find jobs because of background checks—some of the things they’ve done. Society holds them back,” he said.

So, he doesn’t do background checks on potential hires. “I remember when I was in that position. I give them that chance.”

Rohi hopes his actions will inspire others struggling with unemployment, mental illness, substance use, or homelessness.

“The reason I’m always giving back: I want to be that vision of hope for somebody. Help is available,” he said. “If it can happen for a person like me, I know it can happen for you.” P

For more information about Cardinal Innovations services and programs like TCL, visit cardinalinnovations.org. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, dial **ASK (star-star-2-7-5) on your cell phone or call 1-800-939-5911.