Eugene (Geno) was 32 when he came to The Salvation Army McKenna House in January of 2017.

“I have been sober for almost ten months, the longest I have been clean,” expressed Eugene.

“This place saved my life.  I got everything I needed from the house; support and guidance to get on the right path.”

The Salvation Army McKenna House in Concord, New Hampshire opened in 1982.  The facility is a 42 bed homeless shelter for single men and women. Residents are provided with a warm bed, three meals a day, toiletries, laundry services, clothing and case management.  The social work staff provides referrals to agencies that address specific individual needs. Each resident is required to establish goals, participate in their case management, and to fulfill work requirements.

Eugene grew up in Massachusetts and had a rough start in his early life.  He recalls, “I was a good kid, never got into trouble or drugs.”  His father was an alcoholic and mother a drug user.  He eventually ended up in foster care in his early teens where he was physically and mentally abused.  In later years he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.  His medication for PTSD seemed to not be relieving his anxiety so he decided to smoke pot and drink alcohol to cope.

In 2005 Eugene entered the Hospitality and Culinary Arts program at SNHU in Manchester, New Hampshire.  At the time he was not drinking and completed the program, receiving his associate degree in Culinary Arts.  Over the years Eugene worked as a chef at various restaurants.

While working as a chef at a New Hampshire restaurant he injured his foot.   Eugene had to take time off from work in order for his injury to heal.  During his recovery he started to drink again.  He recalls, “I drank myself into a black hole, I even tried to kill myself.”

Eugene spent time in shelters and rehabilitation programs that specialized in addiction and behavioral health for most of his early life.

At the McKenna House, Eugene volunteers and puts his culinary knowledge to good use each week by organizing and sorting 6 pallets of donated food from the Sam’s Club Fresh Rescue program.   Bakery goods, produce and meats are used at the shelter and at The Salvation Army Concord facility on Clinton Street. 

Eugene also finds great enjoyment preparing and cooking three meals a week at the shelter.  In addition to all his volunteer efforts at the shelter he is working full time at a local restaurant.  He attends AA meetings five times a week at a center in Concord where he finds spiritual guidance and support.

Eugene stated, “I am where I am supposed to be. I love The Salvation Army and the people I’ve met, they have been a family to me.” 

Article written by Patricia James, Public Realtions Manager for The Northern New England Salvation Army