(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A West Loop non-profit that helps people with their substance use disorders will get a boost from a sizeable federal grant.
The Haymarket Center at 120 N. Sangamon will receive $4 million over the next 5 years. The organization, which serves about 12,000 patients a year, will expand services.
Willie Towns shares his personal account of recovery through Haymarket's programming.
"I was a man that was lost – drugs, institutions, penitentiaries, over 35 years of heroin abuse," he said.
Towns said he has been sober for 4 years and 9 months. He turned down a job with the CTA to work at Haymarket Center because he wants to inspire patients who come through.
"I started cleaning toilets. Now, I'm the senior leader of the maintenance department," Towns said.
Much of the new federal funding will go toward job training and placement.
More than 30 recovery programs are offered at Haymarket Center. No one is denied services regardless of ability to pay.
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