Andrew Velikanje

I was homeless in 2021, as I'd been for years. I lived in a tent on the beach, drinking extreme amounts of cheap vodka every night, chain smoking cigarettes. Several medical concerns arose suggesting that my life wouldn't continue much longer as I was living it.

Now, I own an organization that works in homelessness and environmental restoration. Ive played a crucial roll in helping 25 people who were permanently homeless to come indoors. I've also removed 610, 000 lbs of trash/contamination from my beautiful hometown.

I like to explain how and why I got sober: by addressing the fear, shame and denial I had built up so well with my alcoholism.