When you see Fabian behind the counter at the Café at the J, he’s greeting customers by name—and often by their favorite drink order.

“How are you?” he asks.

“I’m blessed,” he replies when they return the question.

Listening to his journey—from a toxic marriage and homelessness to sobriety, healing, and a new sense of purpose—and you understand why.

“They told me when I got to Ready to Work that you get out what you put in,” Fabian said. “And I put in everything.”

That meant attending every AA meeting, anger management session, financial class and program meeting offered. He read books, talked with people and challenged himself to learn. Determined to stay focused, Fabian declined every overnight and weekend pass until August 1, 2026—the one-year anniversary in Ready to Work and in sobriety.

He also stepped away from social media and television, choosing to limit outside influences while he worked on himself.

“It’s like the airplane scenario,” he said. “You need to put your mask on first. I’m becoming the change I want to see.”

Fabian does not gloss over the person he once was. He describes himself as once egotistical, self-centered and judgmental. His first marriage began when he was 25 and lasted 11 years.

“What kind of husband could I be at 25?” he said. “I knew nothing about being a good husband or father. My marriage falling apart was on me.”

His second marriage lasted three years. Fabian describes the relationship as toxic, abusive and entangled in darkness and witchcraft. It took him months to escape.

“I didn’t see how dark it was,” he said. “At the time, everything we were doing felt normal. When I realized what I was in, I ran for my life.”

Fabian had spent 16 years building a successful career as a commercial truck driver in his native New Mexico. He had a comfortable life and a strong professional reputation. But on September 27, 2023, he says he came face-to-face with the devil—and chose the light.

“I’ve lost it all, and yet I lack nothing. I’ve gained the best thing anybody could… I gained GOD,” he said. “My rock bottom was my heaven. I needed to be humbled. If it weren’t for the dark, I wouldn’t be in the light.”

Fabian left New Mexico for Colorado in October 2023. He spent nearly two years homeless in Colorado Springs, living first in his car and later in shelters, tents, parks and on the streets. Eventually, he realized he was standing still.

“The Springs was like quicksand for me,” he said. “I was getting dragged down.”

For the first time in his life, Fabian asked for help. His sister Marayah researched programs and drove him to visit all three Ready to Work houses. Boulder felt right.

The transition was not easy. Fabian went from what he calls “the freedom of homelessness” to curfews, communal living, community service and program expectations.

“When I got here, I didn’t see the program for what it was,” he said. “I would complain. I was in a scarcity headspace. Then I changed my mindset and surrendered to the program.”

He came to understand that Ready to Work is about much more than employment.

“Putting you to work isn’t the main goal,” Fabian said. “It’s making sure you don’t fall back into what got you there. Can you maintain a job? Can you maintain a sober lifestyle? There were a lot of classes—and a lot of healing and growing.”

Fabian worked outdoors on Bridge House’s outdoor crews and began leadership training to become a supervisor. Then he was asked to work in the Kitchen and the Café at the J.

“Customer service wasn’t my style. I didn’t do coffee,” he said. “It was completely outside my comfort zone.”

Once again, he challenged himself. Today, customers and coworkers tell him he’s a natural.

“I surprised myself,” Fabian said. “I love working here. But being a natural isn’t true—I had to push myself to go with it and be the best I could be.”

Through his work at the Café, Fabian has built relationships and even received job offers. More importantly, he discovered abilities he didn’t know he had.

On his one-year anniversary, Fabian finally took his first overnight pass and returned to Albuquerque—his first visit home in three years.

“It was a beautiful experience,” he said. “When I was waiting for the bus back to Boulder, I didn’t want to leave. That’s when it hit me that I wanted to go home.”

Fabian plans to spend time in Boulder resolving legal matters and preparing for his next chapter. Then he’ll return to New Mexico and live with family members who have told him, “We’ve got you.”

He’s especially grateful to Marayah; his Ready to Work case managers, Franco and Alexis; and Katelin, the Community Table Kitchen business manager who recognized his potential at the café.

“Bridge House saved my life,” Fabian said. “It changed my life. Everything is working out exactly the way it needs to.”