Coming Back In: Marc Wise
When Project HOME suggested Marc to come back, he had the courage to do it. That was a good day for both of us.
Marc Wise was born in Merchantville, New Jersey, to professional parents, and had a happy, stable childhood. But after high school, he “became caught up in the streets.” At 17, he began to work in construction, learning many aspects of the building trade, but continuing to abuse alcohol and cocaine simultaneously. By age 25, he was placed in rehab for several months, care financed by his labor union.
For the next seven years, Marc was in and out of treatment and federal prisons. He spent several harsh winter nights on the streets. His first encounter with Sister Mary Scullion was her invitation to “to come in” to her sanctuaries, extended on one of her regular night rounds in street outreach. He reacted by doing his best to avoid her.” In retrospect, he said “Sister Mary planted the first seeds” of his resolve to change.
Marc first came into St. Elizabeth’s Recovery Residence, working hard for two years to focus on his spirituality and personal growth. He pushed himself to recognize when he was lying to himself. Unexpectedly, his mother died, and Marc’s life unraveled.
Marc withdrew from St. Elizabeth’s and moved to a motel in New Jersey. While he clung to his sobriety, he realized he was not thinking straight. But he kept in touch with Project HOME staff, frequently calling Maureen Scully (assistant to Sister Mary Scullion) and Carol Thomas, the director of outreach, for support. “They always told me I should ‘come back in’ to Project HOME.”
Luckily for Marc and for Project HOME, Marc had the courage to do that. He has been back in St. Elizabeth’s for more than two years. He has volunteered for our street outreach, worked on our Residential Advisory Board and the Advocacy Committee. He completed a six-month apprenticeship working on property development at Project HOME as well as joining the construction crew of JBJ Soul Homes. He accompanied a delegation of staff and residents to Washington to welcome Pope Francis. He is now employed full time in construction work for Project HOME.
Marc credits Alexis Pugh with “getting him to believe in himself.” Now he is passing that gift on as he mentors other residents.
