Our supporters play a critical role in helping residents at The GateHouse rebuild their lives.
The ExtraGive offers a simple way for community members to help sustain recovery services throughout Lancaster County. Those who would like to take part can make an impact during this year’s event on Nov. 21.
Recovery requires courage, structure, and a network that does not give up on people. The GateHouse provides that structure through residential and outpatient services that meet individuals where they are and guide them toward sustainable change.
Every person who arrives at any of The GateHouse locations brings with them a different history and a different set of challenges. The common thread, though, is their search for stability and accountability.
Overcoming the Battle Against Substance Use Disorder
Substance use disorder affects families in every neighborhood and individuals from every walk of life. Simply put, it does not discriminate.
These six stories illustrate how steady guidance and a safe place to rebuild can change the direction of a life. They show what support looks like in practical terms rather than in abstract promises. They show growth that happens slowly and consistently. And they show what it looks like when people gain the skills to rebuild relationships, return to work, and contribute to their communities.
Building Confidence Through Structure: Yannick Harris
Yannick entered treatment after years of instability and recognized early on that he needed a structured environment if he wanted life to look different. He relied on routine while he worked through the early stages of recovery.
Curfews, daily commitments, and program expectations gave him something firm to hold on to. Over time, he grew more confident in his ability to stay consistent. He also grew into a leadership role and eventually returned as a counselor.
His story shows how someone who once needed direction can become a source of direction for others. The GateHouse supported that shift by providing a place where responsibility is taught in small, steady steps.
Read Yannick’s full story here.
Regaining Stability Through Steady Progress: Bob Esque
Bob reached a point where he struggled to recognize a path forward. The GateHouse became a turning point because it offered clear structure at a moment when everything felt uncertain.
He spent his early months learning how to build new habits and how to stay present in simple routines. Gradually he gained confidence in his own choices. His time in transitional housing played a major role in that progress because it allowed him to practice independence with support nearby.
His story shows how recovery grows stronger when individuals are given manageable goals and the time needed to meet them.
Find the details of Bob’s journey here.
Finding Strength With Community Support: Natasha McCall
Natasha navigated years of instability before arriving at The GateHouse. Her early days in the program were shaped by fear and doubt. She wondered whether change was possible.
Step by step, though, she found stability through counseling sessions, peer connections, and a reliable daily schedule. Natasha worked to rebuild trust with the people she cared about, and she learned how to rely on encouragement without leaning on it as a crutch.
Her journey highlights the importance of community support during vulnerable moments. It also highlights the steady role that staff play in helping residents rebuild confidence in themselves.
Find out more about Natasha’s recovery here.
Each year, the Extraordinary Give strengthens the work performed across all programs that are run by The GateHouse. Donations made during the event help ensure that residents receive consistent support throughout their time in treatment.
Gaining Clarity Through Accountability: Taylor Faison
Taylor entered recovery with a history of prescription misuse that had grown over time. She recognized that life was becoming narrower and harder to manage.
Treatment gave her a chance to understand how her patterns developed and how she could change them through accountability. She learned practical skills that helped her maintain her recovery while handling daily responsibilities.
Taylor built a stronger sense of personal identity during her time with The GateHouse and gained the clarity needed to pursue a healthier future. Her experience shows how education, routine, and honest self-reflection can reshape a person’s direction.
See Taylor’s journey to recovery here.
Rebuilding Confidence Through Meaningful Connection: Nicole Barcalow
By the time she arrived at The GateHouse, Nicole was carrying the weight of repeated setbacks. She needed a place that offered stability without judgment.
Her time at The GateHouse allowed her to rebuild her confidence through honest conversations and consistent expectations. She developed connections that made her feel supported rather than isolated. Nicole eventually recognized how important it is to feel understood by people who have walked similar paths. Her journey reminds us that recovery is not only a personal process but also a communal one.
Supportive relationships help people remain anchored, especially during uncertain moments.
Find out more about Nicole’s second chance here.
Creating Purpose Through Service and Commitment: Nelson Caldero
Nelson spent years navigating life on the streets and the challenges that come with it. When he reached The GateHouse, though, he found safety and a routine that allowed him to focus on change. Staff helped him manage responsibilities in a way that felt achievable rather than overwhelming. Nelson became known for his dedication to service and eventually stepped into a leadership role.
His progress illustrates how a stable environment can help individuals recognize their own potential. It also shows how giving back can strengthen a person’s commitment to ongoing recovery.
Read more about Nelson’s journey here.
A Shared Thread
Each of these individuals entered The GateHouse with a different starting point. Some arrived after years of instability. Others arrived after quiet struggles that grew more serious over time. What connects their stories is the role of structure, accountability, and community.
Recovery does not look the same for everyone, but it consistently requires patience, guidance, and a supportive community. These six stories illustrate how lives can shift when those elements are in place. Many individuals throughout Lancaster County need the same kind of support that helped these six residents rebuild their lives. That need continues to grow, and The GateHouse works each day to expand its reach.
The ExtraGive provides essential fuel for this mission. The annual event strengthens nonprofit organizations throughout the county and allows community members to support the work they believe in.
Contributions made during the ExtraGive directly support programs that provide safe housing, counseling, and long-term recovery guidance, while strengthening the network that makes success stories like these possible.
Anyone who would like to support The GateHouse during ExtraGive can make a contribution through our campaign page. Each gift helps sustain the housing and treatment services that residents rely on as they rebuild their lives.
