Meet Us Monday: Andrew, Peer House Leader

Born in New Jersey, Andrew moved to Virginia at eight years old after his father retired from the police department. He describes his childhood as structured and loving, raised in a home with strong values and supportive parents.

Andrew began working in collision repair at sixteen, a trade he still works in today. By twenty, he was raising his son on his own. Feeling overwhelmed, he moved closer to his parents for support. In his early twenties, substance use escalated, leading to incarceration. During a later sentence, his younger brother was killed in a motorcycle accident.

“That’s when I made the decision that I wasn’t going to put myself or my family in that position again,” Andrew shares.

Today, Andrew is thriving. He works full time doing what he loves and is the proud father of three boys. Rebuilding those relationships has been one of his greatest joys. He hopes to move closer to his sons and pursue aviation mechanics training.

“REAL LIFE has saved my life. It’s given me a place to rebuild,” he says. “I will preach to the ends of the earth that recovery is possible.”

Andrew credits the structure, staff support, and brotherhood in the houses for helping him build a different future.

The work is real. The progress is steady. Recovery is possible. Congratulations, Andrew!