A question was asked of me in November of 2017. A question that at times in my life I thought I knew the answer to, a question that I’ve also at times been uncertain of the answer, a question that should’ve been easy to answer, a question that at times bore no weight to it, yet other times it carried the weight of the world, a question that once overwhelmed me to the point of anger and frustration, it’s the question that I still ask myself every single day (now two years since it was asked of me at that particular moment) if nothing else but to remind myself of it’s power and purpose and the responsibility that is attached to its answer, because it’s the question that ultimately brought me freedom.

My name is Steven Kliot and I am a recovered alcoholic, addict, and a sinner saved by grace. Prior to my time at Tikvah, I was resident manager of a different sober living home for about 18 months. When I first came to Tikvah, it was as a reference interview for a friend of mine who was trying to secure a spot in the home. Since I was almost at the end of my commitment to the other house, Dennis asked me what I would think about moving in. I hadn’t anticipated this question and my answer was, “let me pray about it.”

I am currently 38 years old and had been shooting heroin on and off for 21 years. I have seven felonies, two prison numbers and now one leg. I’ve destroyed relationships, crashed cars, lost jobs, wasted money and pissed away a lot of opportunities. I’ve watched many die around me and been warned multiple times. I’ve lived a life of lies, theft and misery. Towards the end, I welcomed and prayed for death. I just wanted to silence the riot that raged inside my head. To say the least, I felt hopeless. I figured I’d end up in prison again or just die a dope fiend on the street.