“Stop making excuses, be accountable.”
Dave Durocher is a Pioneer Park Coalition board member with a unique and valuable perspective on homelessness and drug abuse. As someone who has navigated addiction himself, he knows what it is like to be in that tough situation. Earlier in his life, Dave struggled with drug addiction for about 27 years, and was intermittently homeless himself, allowing him to serve the PPC with experience and knowledge of what it is like to be in the shoes of those who we aim to serve.
Outside of the PPC, Dave works hard to help reform “the most broken among us” who are ready to accept help. As the Executive Director of The Other Side Academy, he empowers individuals facing severe criminal charges by offering them an alternative. If accepted, participants will “work their guts out”, foster an environment of accountability, and create long-term sustainable change in their lives. The Other Side Academy provides participants with more than just a meal and a roof over their heads. The Other Side Academy is a safe space to work towards change while gaining real and applicable private sector experience for their future.
Most traditional drug rehab programs typically have a success rate of 5-10%. In stark contrast, 70% of all graduates of The Other Side Academy are employed and maintain a life that’s drug-free and crime-free.
For Mr. Durocher, the most important factor in success is to “stop making excuses -- and be accountable.” While he articulates this in the context of homelessness and drug reform, I believe that this can be applied further and encompass all facets of life. Whether these words are applied to something as daunting as a lifelong struggle with drug abuse or something as mundane as ending procrastination, it is imperative that we stop our excuses and take responsibility for our actions and our lives as a whole. When we have the courage to be accountable for our actions, we take control of our lives and begin to work towards a brighter future.
Written by: Anna Henderson, Pioneer Park Coalition