Cody Gowin

I began using at the tender age of 14 and, as a master manipulator, helped my family rationalize my behaviors both interpersonally and academically, throwing in a heavy dose of sexual disphoria in a religiously red-baring state. Drugs seemed to be the only solution to somehow making things compatible. For nearly 20 years, I continued down a road less traveled. 10+ treatment centers and hundreds of thousands of dollars that were spent on therapy, cars, legal fees, and treatment. Nothing could touch the inner corrosion. Not until I was given a gift and sent to Pennsylvania. My addiction led me to homeless shelters and many other places, but when I arrived at Caron, it helped breathe new life back into me when I had all but ended my own. I took suggestions from my recovery team for the first time in my life while at Caron over 3 years ago. I went to the sober living that was suggested, and I chose to remain in the area with a far-reaching goal in mind: to one day help others and myself remain sober. I say all that to say that there are subtle things that can qualify a person for this position that aren't always as simple as quantifying them on paper. I think that sometimes it truly takes using all of your insight and intuition as an executive decision-maker with years of experience to read the person and the room. For nearly the past 20 months, I have been a valued employee who's been given the heavy and rewarding responsibility of working with children at the YMCA. I have all my state and federal clearances. I feel that there have been many parallels in working with children as compared to substance use disorder and the distortions clients with it face. I speak on the former and the latter from personal experience. Looking out for their best interests when they themselves aren't always aware of what those are in the moment. I've also given back by working at Transitions (the sober living facility I was suggested to go to for aftercare) for the past 14 months, along with my work at the YMCA. It's definitely been a bridge to understanding both sides of the recovery field, as I've now been both a client and a staff member at both Transitions and Caron. I think if given the opportunity in person to show my honest and integral self, you would see I could both help this organization grow and also grow personally as well. The truth is in the eye of the beholder, similar to the age-old saying about beauty. I think I have intrinsic value to bring to this position. I truly believe that something bigger has been at play in leading me into this possible new opportunity at the YMCA and being able to work with people who have lost their purpose like I had. But it will take you to make that opinion objectively true. I'm looking forward to making the acquaintance of whomever it may concern.

Working with underprivileged children has been one of the most rewarding things I've done in my life. It truly puts into perspective how blessed I am and continues to humble me.

Dale Sites- President of Henderson Bank, President of the WARM and MARC recovery centers of Kentucky.

270-860-5640

Jordan Berkowitz- President of Sunline

610-551-0002

Milly Hayes Miller-Wentzel- LPN, ABA, RBT, Crisis Residential Nursing/IBHS

610-781-5690

Shelley Eppihimer- Director of Early Childhood Development Berks county YMCA

610-780-9657