The purpose of a story can be to entertain. However, the true benefit of a story is to teach, to inspire, to let others know and believe in the variety, complexity and endless possibilities of life.
This is my story……………
My name is Nathaniel “Nate” Green. I was born on the 6 of Jan. 1969 in Jersey City to Nathaniel Green Sr. and Linda Green. On a cold, freezing, winter night my mother packed me and my siblings up and left my father who was abusive both physically and mentally-he had his demons too in the form of addiction and issues of abandonment. I attended 5 grammar schools which all dismissed me for behavioral problems. I graduated from Martin Luther King grammar. In retrospect I now see how my environment inside and outside of the home formed who I was and who I would be. The stage was already being set. I attended St. Anthony H.S. and then transferred to Ferris H.S. where I excelled in 3 sports. During the ages of 14-16 I participated in the sale and use of drugs, however due to my active participation in sports I was spared and graduated in the top half of my class with a 3.2 G.P.A. as an all American. In the who’s who and most likely to succeed category I was nominated and won by being voted for at an average of 7 out of 12. I went to college for half a year-didn’t like it and started the street life again. I stopped and joined the navy where I was discharged for fighting and dirty urine. I returned to the street life again and became totally involved in the life and everything that goes along with it- drugs, robbery, violence and prison. It is my belief that God gives you little glimpses of who you are and who can be- thus revealing his divine purpose. By all accounts I should be dead. My higher power kept sparing me. Different individuals, circumstances and opportunities kept revealing to me that I needed to change or die. In 1997 I returned to Philadelphia realizing that in 10 yrs. All I had to show for my life was 17 convictions, stabbed 7 times and shot once. I learned in the recovery houses that life could be different and I needed help-I couldn’t do it alone. Of all the things I learned what stuck was that I had to be done- I had to be through with my past life and open to change. There could be no turning back. I started working in the drug and alcohol and mental health field. I was blessed in the form of a lawsuit. God’s infinite wisdom opened my heart and with the money I opened my own transitional program for men. The name was chosen carefully; every time I speak the name- "HANDS OF DIVERSITY", I close my eyes remembering why I chose it. The name says it all—we are direct, hands on, diversified program inspired by God and necessity. We started with 6 beds. We now have 40. We have plans to accommodate 120 men. With God as the head and our faith firmly established we cannot go wrong.
In conclusion-or I should say in the beginning- because each day is a beginning...
"Upon seeing the current condition of the recovery community, we at H.O.D. were divinely inspired to revitalize the process of recovery. The reality of world conditions which amplify daily stress coupled with daily responsibilities dictates that our process be based on practicality, determination, commitment, perseverance, strength, integrity, discipline, love and an unfailing belief and reliance on a higher power. We strive to instill hope, for in the absence of hope there is despair. We attack complacency and refuse defeat. We believe that in each individual lies unlimited possibilities. Love is the highest elevation of understanding-if you can understand something you can love it. This is the basis of true humanity. Pessimism has no place here. H.O.D. was divinely created to return the lost, the hopeless and misguided men back to their families and communities as complete men-physically, mentally, spiritually and financially stable-We will not waiver-This is our Mission!"
This statement explains where we are and where we’re going...We keep it moving...
