Hello
Read how one man's desire to give
turned into so much more.
SUCCESS Story - Syed
Black Friday 2021, the day after Thanksgiving - Syed, a man struggling to stay clean, was walking down the street and saw Gwen and Olivia's Branches feeding community neighbors and tending their clothing giveaway. Syed offered to volunteer at one of the clothing giveaway tables. Selene, founder of Gwen and Olivia's Branches, gladly accepted. As he was working, Selene extended the offer to Syed to take a few items for himself - a coat, sweater, jacket and a small pet carrier. At the close of the day, late comers came through but there were no items left to give away. Without hesitation, Syed humbly gave away the items he set aside for himself, all except the small pet carrier. This was only the first glimpse Selene saw of Syed’s integrity and truly giving spirit.
After the clothing giveaway, Syed approached Selene for help with a recovery program but declined to go that same day due to other obligations he had to attend to at home. However, he promised to return that weekend to get the information. Selene had her doubts, but said she’d be waiting. True to his word, Syed did return on Saturday and explained that he wasn’t able to go to recovery the first day she offered because he had to tend to his cat. Yes, this is why Syed gave away all of his clothing items with the exception of the small pet carrier. Syed’s integrity and honesty came into play once again when he admitted to Selene that he sold the carrier, a fact that he didn’t really have to share. Impressed with Syed’s honesty, Selene gave Syed information on a recovery program and the two parted ways.
After some time, Selene received a phone call from Syed. He surprised her with his 30-day enrollment in his new recovery program at Kirkbride. Syed kept in touch with Selene during his recovery and reached out to her when he was ready for his transitional program. Syed promised Selene, now affectionately referred to as Mom, that he would go to work and make good use of his CDL as a tractor trailer driver.
Once again, keeping to his word, Syed surprised his “Mom” with a call from Ohio. He was on the road with his new job as a tractor trailer driver. True to the name of son, Syed sends generous funds to his Mom, Selene, and tells her to use it for whatever she wants. Syed has been clean from November 28th, 2021 until now.