Meet Len W.
Addictions Counseling graduate
My future was once very dark, now it's bright.
Len White is grateful for the second chance he got. Now he wants to make a career out of seeing others get the same opportunity.
At age 42, he’s set to graduate from the Addictions Counseling A.A.S. degree program, and like many who earn that degree he’s already gotten a few solid job offers. He’s also a long way from the habits and behaviors that caused so many problems in his earlier life.
“I have a history of substance abuse myself. I battled addiction for 20 years, off and on, and I finally had enough of it,” he said. “Things really started to get out of control about five years ago, and I met a peer recovery advocate through Rensselaer County named Jesse Chapman. He started getting me into groups, meeting with me, and I really started to latch on to the whole recovery process. Because of that experience, I wanted to pursue a career in recovery because I really want to give back. There are so many people who struggle and don’t know what to do and don’t know how to change their thinking patterns. It didn’t take me long to figure out that’s what I wanted to do.”
Len jumped around through a few different careers earlier in life, and he suffered a debilitating back injury while working on a dairy farm. Several years later, he had spinal fusion surgery to deal with intense recurring pain and reluctantly went on disability.
“I couldn’t work anymore and went out on disability, and I hated it. I felt like I had no purpose,” he said. “So, I contacted and told them I was interested in going back to school, and they were extremely helpful in getting me into school.”
Starting college as a 39-year-old was more than a little intimidating, but he quickly adapted, and success followed success.
“I honestly think I had a panic attack that first day,” he said with a laugh. “I was nervous, and I didn’t know if I was going to connect with my peers. I didn’t know I was capable of getting through this. It wasn’t easy, but once I got into it, things started to fall into place. I’ve had a really good relationship with Professor (Denise) Pickering. I think I’ve had her for four classes now. Everyone associated with this program is more than willing to help you.”
Len completed his final internship with the Albany County Drug Court and hopes to continue working there as a caseworker after graduation. He’s also wrapping up his time at Hudson Valley by spending a few hours each week as a peer tutor for fellow Addictions Counseling students in the college’s Learning Assistance Center.
He said the support he’s received in the program and the internship has been incredibly rewarding.
“I think it's amazing that I went from being at rock bottom, arrested, and put on probation to interning for Albany County Drug Court. Interning in this environment has been an honor for me. The people I work with are all amazing and have taught me so much. I really enjoy seeing individuals being given a second chance, a chance to stay out of prison and grasp onto recovery,” Len said. “I give credit to all my professors. Without their amazing teaching capabilities, I wouldn't be where I am today. My future was once very dark, now it's bright.”
His Hudson Valley degree is just the first step he hopes to take on this new education and career journey.
“I’m not done with school. I’m enrolled with SUNY Empire, and I’m aiming toward getting a bachelor’s in community and human services,” he said. “I never thought I’d get an associate’s degree; never thought I’d be moving on to a bachelor’s degree and hopefully in a few years, I’ll be saying ‘I never thought I’d be starting a master’s degree program.’”