For our Mission Moment this month, allow us to introduce you to Chris Crawford. Chris is an alumnus of the Catholic Charities’ Assisi Bridge House. He entered the Assisi Bridge House 23 years ago having no other options amongst family and friends. He spent the better part of two years struggling with recovery and accepting his addiction, and he first attempted substance abuse treatment at 22 years old after several addiction related medical issues — The Assisi Bridge House was the last chance to get his life on track.

Through the aid of the staff at the Assisi Bridge House, and Terrebonne Addictive Disorders Clinic, Chris has been able to establish a recovery program that has lasted 23 years. He resided in South Louisiana after completing both programs mentioned above where he met and married his wife, Brandi D. Crawford. He has since completed his undergraduate degree from Nicholls State University, and his graduate degree from Tulane University, School of Social Work. The Crawfords now reside in The Woodlands, Texas, with their two boys, and Chris works in private practice assisting others with both mental health and substance use disorders. 

Chris admitted that his journey was not easy, and so many people played a significant role in his recovery, but The Assisi Bridge House had a substantial role in this process. “I am not sure I would be here today without the assistance of the Assisi Bridge House and the community of South Louisiana,” shared Chris.  

The Crawford family decided a few years ago that they would like to give back many of the blessings they had received, so they started donating to the Bridge House on a weekly basis. “I am forever grateful for the Assisi Bridge House, and the community of South Louisiana. Today, I am clean and sober and living a life of recovery thanks to all the support,” Chris said. “Thank you to all those involved in my success.  I would love to mention everyone by name, but I am fearful I will forget someone, so to all those who were a part of the journey, you know who you are, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you to my family and Assisi Bridge House for NEVER giving up on me.”

The Catholic Foundation is proud to perpetually fund and support Catholic Charities’ Assisi Bridge house via two endowments: the Crawford Family Endowed Fund and the Patrick Murphy Endowed Fund for Assisi Bridge House. When you make a gift through our Foundation, you give hope to people like Chris, every day.