Elenar Hits Major Milestones in His Recovery at Harbor Care

Elenar was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. Elenar and his three sisters were raised by a single mother. He didn’t have a relationship with his father until later in life. He experienced homelessness as a child. “We were living in a car and would stay at the park. We would wake up, get dressed, go to school and then back to the park for the night,” recalled Elenar. He never finished his schooling. As soon as he was 18, he started working various jobs. His last job was a forklift driver which came to an end when COVID hit.

“One day I started vomiting. I thought it was just the flu, but it went on for days and weeks and months. I couldn’t digest anything. I didn’t go to the hospital until it was too late. All I remember is going to the emergency room, having a mask put on me and waking up from a coma a month and a half later,” said Elenar. This was the beginning of a year-long health struggle. He was bedridden for months at a time. 

“When I got to Harbor Care, I felt safe, at ease, relief. My needs were met. I didn’t feel comfortable anywhere else,” says Elenar. “This was the only place I found recovery. I started walking again here, exercising here, eating again.” 

Elenar has not had an easy life. He has struggled with depression and multiple seasons of homelessness. “My vice throughout my whole life has been alcohol,” says Elenar. He understands now that these were wrong choices he made and has suffered greatly from these decisions. “I feel 100% better. I feel like I’m ready to work. I’m ready to live my new life,” declares Elenar. 

Elenar is moving on from Harbor Care into stable housing and will focus on his continued recovery and getting back into the workplace. “Everything I have experienced here at Harbor has been a blessing,” says Elenar with a grateful smile.