CEDRIC HOOPER, CLIENT

More than 30 years ago, Cedric Hooper served in the U.S. Army at Fort Stewart near Hinesville, Georgia. The 50-year-old Miami native liked Georgia and imagined one day settling in Atlanta. Last September, Cedric left Miami on a Greyhound bus heading north to finally pursue his dream.

But he wasn't completely honest with himself about his chances of starting fresh. He was in denial about his alcohol abuse and drug addiction, which prevented him from keeping a job. He'd made it to Atlanta, but before long was wandering its streets and sleeping beneath its bridges.

After staying at a temporary recovery facility, a social worker referred him to the Gateway Center. Cedric was admitted to a program jointly run by the Veterans Administration, and now has shelter and food. He also has job prospects, including an opportunity with a local security company.

But the greatest measure of his progress so far, since arriving at the Gateway Center a few months ago, is how dramatically transformed he feels.

"If it wasn't my way, then it was no way," Cedric says. "I had that chip on my shoulder. I had to let the old me go. Now, I'm trying to move forward."

Cedric's transition to the Gateway hasn't been easy. One of his most difficult tasks was admitting that he's an alcoholic.

"I had to be honest with myself," Cedric says. "I had to be willing to come into a program and go through a process. A lot of people think they can do recovery alone."

He also had to adjust the Gateway's routines and accept that he no longer called all the shots.

"You know, I am in an institutional environment," he says. "I'm not in my own place. But I know this is something I have to go through."

With the support of the Veterans Administration and the Gateway staff, Cedric believes he's building the fortitude and self-discipline to succeed. He's most proud of being honest with himself and with others—Gateway staff, other residents and his loved ones.

"I'm being open, and I'm getting that back," Cedric says. "I'm not drinking. I'm not drugging [myself]. I'm not trying to hustle to make money. And I'm communicating with my family."