The following success story was submitted by Motivational Services Inc. Dollars given to United Way of Kennebec Valley support this program as well as many others across Kennebec Valley.

A man in his 40s began coming to the LINC Peer Support Center about a year ago during a time when he was making major changes in his life. After years of being in and out of incarceration and struggling to stay sober on his own, this was the first time he was truly trying to build something different.

When he first came to LINC, he mostly kept to himself: sitting back, taking things in, and getting a feel for the space and the people. Over time, that began to shift. He started showing up more regularly, joining groups and gradually connecting with others. Those connections turned into relationships he now describes as some of the most meaningful he’s had.

As he became more comfortable, he began volunteering at LINC, helping out, checking in with others and becoming part of the day‑to‑day routine. He showed up consistently for recovery groups each week, and over time, his confidence grew. He wasn’t just coming in anymore––he was part of the community.

Today, he is celebrating more than a year of sobriety, something he had never experienced outside of incarceration before. He now has stable housing and continues to stay connected at LINC, both for support and to support others. Recently, he shared that he’s interested in becoming a peer support specialist and is moving forward with that process.