Casa De Vida Inc. — Looking ahead with gratitude

As we near the end of another year, we want to take a moment to say thank you. Your generosity, prayers, and encouragement have meant more to us than we can fully express.

This year brought its share of challenges for Casa De Vida. There were moments of uncertainty that tested our faith and endurance. Yet through it all, God remained faithful, and our community continued to stand with us.

As we reach the end of this final quarter, we are grateful to share that things are beginning to improve. Support has increased, stability is returning, and we are entering the new year with renewed hope. Your belief in this mission has helped us make that progress.

Thank you for standing with Casa De Vida. Because of you, our doors remain open, lives continue to be restored, and hope is alive as we look ahead.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Julie Moreno

CoFounder/Executive Director

Casa De Vida

Matt’s Story

One of the reasons we keep moving forward is lives like this one.

Matt grew up with many advantages, but addiction took hold early and eventually cost him much of his adult life. He lost most of his 30s to drugs, along with relationships, stability, and direction.

By February 2015, he had reached a breaking point — facing unemployment, a broken-down car, a DUI case, and the very real threat of homelessness.

Two years earlier, Matt had completed a ten-month treatment program, but it didn’t “take.” He knew that without drastic change, relapse was inevitable. As Matt puts it, “I faced problems that could not be alleviated by getting a job and paying rent. I had received what we call in recovery ‘the gift of desperation.’”

In April 2015, Matt entered Casa De Vida in Oxnard, uncertain of what lay ahead but willing to do whatever it took to change. Through structure, accountability, faith, and consistent participation in Narcotics Anonymous, he began rebuilding his life one day at a time. NA became a vital part of his recovery, offering connection, guidance, and a community that helped him stay grounded and committed.

Today, Matt lives independently and works full-time as a cook at St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard. December marked a major milestone — ten years on the job. What makes that achievement especially meaningful is that during his addiction, he struggled with reliability and consistency. Recovery taught him how to show up, maintain standards, and keep going, even when things weren’t easy.

Matt is now not only a dedicated employee, but also a devoted father and a trusted friend to many. His life today reflects steady growth, responsibility, and service — proof that long-term recovery is possible when people are given support, structure, and hope.

Beyond his professional life, Matt is a devoted father, a trusted friend to many, and an active member of the recovery community. His story is a powerful reminder that lasting change is possible when someone is given support, structure, and the opportunity to fully engage in their own recovery.

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