Stephen’s Fresh Start Begins with a Second Chance

When Stephen (pictured) arrived at Pioneer Human Services’ King County Diversion Center (KCDC), he was coming off the streets and looking for help. What began as a brief stay at the diversion center became the first step toward something he had been searching for: a fresh start.

KCDC provides a safe place for people who are intoxicated to stabilize and receive medical and behavioral health support. Individuals may arrive on their own or be brought in by law enforcement or other first responders. Staff assess each person’s immediate needs and work to connect them with appropriate services, including detox, treatment and medical care.

For Stephen, that connection was made by KCDC’s case manager Anant Mehta. Stephen shared that he had spent years incarcerated in Texas and had come to Washington hoping to build a different life.

Before coming to KCDC, Stephen had been living in various shelters and had completed a 30-day treatment program. Although he experienced a period of sobriety, he eventually relapsed. He knew he needed more time and support to address his addiction.

“Stephen shared with me that he wanted to get sober but felt he needed more treatment time than 30 days to overcome his alcohol addiction,” Anant said. “We referred him to the Center for Human Services for an alcohol assessment. He was then referred into the King County Residential Treatment Program (KCRTP) that Pioneer operates.”

At KCRTP, Stephen participated in a 60-day co-occurring treatment program addressing substance use and mental health. During his time in treatment, he worked with Tara Milam, a substance use disorder professional trainee (SUDPT), who saw a significant change in him.

“Stephen made meaningful progress in his recovery while in KCRTP,” Tara said. “He became increasingly engaged, developed greater self-awareness, and demonstrated growing resilience, accountability and confidence in his ability to move forward.”

Stephen described the experience simply: “I have to say that I went into the King County Diversion Center needing to get a different perspective on life and I got that and much more!”

As Stephen prepared to graduate from KCRTP, Tara worked with Michael Langone, lead supportive housing specialist with Pioneer’s Foundational Community Supports division, to help him plan for what would come next.

Michael enrolled Stephen in supportive housing while he was still in treatment. Together, he and Tara worked to secure a placement at a recovery house so Stephen would have a stable and supportive environment when he left treatment.

“We wanted to give him stability and a sense of being safe,” Michael said.

That support helped Stephen take his next steps with confidence. He has since secured permanent housing at Pioneer’s Aspen Terrace and a full-time job—achieving his goals ahead of the timeline he had set for himself.

Now, Stephen is focused on building a future and pursuing a career in the culinary arts.

His journey—from the streets to treatment, stable housing and employment—shows what can happen when someone is ready for change and has the support and opportunity to make it possible.

Stephen is determined to keep moving forward, and the Pioneer team is proud to be part of his journey.