A recovery program in the heart of Española is seeing positive results from its initial year of helping those struggling with drug addictions.

Will Padavich is one of those embracing newfound hope. “For myself and for my son, I had to make a change and I knew the only way I was going to do that was to finally accept the help that I really needed,” Padavich told KRQE.

The reason for his new outlook is that Padavich took advantage of a recovery program at the Pathways Village, formally known as Eagle Village, where he joins with nine other former addicts.

 “I’m just thankful every day that I do have this kind of support system here,” he said.

Located in a former rundown hotel purchased three years ago, the recovery housing program began last year, spearheaded by the Española Pathways Shelter, which helps the homeless in Rio Arriba County and rural parts of Santa Fe County. Most of those staying at the Pathways Village ended up there through a court order.

“Most of our clients that come here, I would say, at least 90%, are on some form of probation or parole,” Rob Vigil, a case manager with Pathways Village, told KRQE.

Another client staying there is Glenn Weber who was ordered to seek help for extrapyramidal symptoms, according to KRQE, of a drug-related movement disorder. While past programs offered little help, Weber has seen positive results from his seventh-month stay at Pathways Village.

“It was such a relief to come here and not be forced into stuff,” Weber said told KRQE. “I know I can sit down with Rob, and we can bounce ideas back and forth, and we can talk about stuff.”

The staff can relate to clients because they are recovering addicts as well. Also, clients who stay there make sure everyone goes to meetings and remains clean.

To prepare residents for a full life, the program offers lessons on how to buy a car, get a good job and fill out important paperwork. As an example of its success, Weber is now with Coca-Cola, and Padavich is a manager at Big 5.

In the inaugural year of the program, five people have successfully transitioned out, now clean and employed, according to KRQE.

“You know, I had to stop and think,” Padavich said. “I was just surviving. Now, I finally think I have that chance to finally live.”

Not only has the program ‘Española Pathways Shelter’ has been around for almost four years now, but they also operate an overnight shelter in the city.