September is Recovery Month for the Caritas Program and tonight is the annual alumni ceremony at the Healing Place that will celebrate those who have recovered and a reformed addict who went on to help thousands of others.
Al Jackson had been an addict for 24 years.
"No one wakes up in the morning and says this would be a good day to become a drug addict."
With help, he recovered and began to help others. In 2005, he became the founding program director at Richmond’s Healing Place.
"We’ve had airplane pilots, dentists, doctors, just normal men working at McDonalds, from the top to the bottom."
Jackson retired in April. But over the years, he saw 8,000 people graduate from the recovery program and tonight he will be honored for his life and his message of hope.
"The door's always open at the Healing Place."