Editor's note: San Diego Gay & Lesbian News kicked off a program at the start of the new year to inspire community members to give back to the charities and nonprofit organizations that help those most in need. Each month, SDGLN will feature one of the 12 organizations we have chosen to spotlight this year through a series of articles highlighting the history, needs and success stories of the organization. January's featured organization is Stepping Stone of San Diego, and this is part two of a three-part series spotlighting the organization.

SAN DIEGO -- Drinking and using drugs since he was 10 years old, Matthew Hardick knows first-hand what it is like to be in that deep, dark place that addiction can lead someone to.

Now sober for more than four years, the San Diego native has come full circle and credits much of his success to the support he received from Stepping Stone of San Diego.

"Over the years, I have been through just about every resource Stepping Stone has to offer," Hardick said. "I have benefited in one shape or form from all of the services."

Hardick said he found himself at a pretty low point in his life before he found Stepping Stone.

"I had been drinking and using since I was so young and it got me really sick," Hardick said. "My family was pretty much done with me."

Not only was his religious family fed up with his drug and alcohol use, they also did not want to deal with the fact that Hardick was gay.

"My family didn't want much to do with me," Hardick said, noting that his addiction also led him to begin working as a prostitute for a while.

Luckily, Hardick had the support of his mother. "She was the only person who was there for me, all the way through."

Getting into trouble with the law, Hardick said, he was ordered to enter a drug court program. "I was the only openly LGBT person in the program," Hardick said.

"They suggested I check out Stepping Stone."

Hardick ended up visiting Stepping Stone in 2003 and successfully completed its outpatient program.

"They helped me get on my feet and taught me how to start taking care of myself," Hardick said.

Once part of the Stepping Stone family, Hardick learned that he was HIV-positive. "I had gotten sick and learned that I had been HIV+ for some time," Hardick said. "I didn't want to know my status so it was a long time before I went and got tested."

Hardick says he is very pleased with the support he received from Stepping Stone in supporting him through his HIV-positive diagnosis, noting that in many traditional non-LGBT recovery organizations, this level of support would likely not be provided.

"Through my HIV process, Stepping Stone has always been there," Hardick said. "Between the counselors, staff and alumni, there has always been someone that is there for me.

"They taught me how to show up and be there for other people."

While it was a bumpy road, Hardick said he finally reached full sobriety on Sept. 10, 2006, and has been sober ever since.

By court order, he said, he did go back and successfully complete Stepping Stone's residential program in 2007. "I had to clean up some wreckage of the past," Hardick said.

After becoming sober, Hardick said he always told himself that if he ever lost his mother, that would be his one excuse to get high.

Hardick's mother did pass away, but he stayed clean.

"Counselors, friends and staff of Stepping Stone loved me right through it," Hardick said. "They are very much a family of choice and guided me through that very difficult time."

Right after this, Hardick was elected president of Stepping Stone's Alumni Association and was also nominated as "Volunteer of the Year" by Combined Health Agencies, which is a federation of local health agencies.

"Matthew is one of those remarkable people that make Stepping Stone the special place that it is," said John de Miranda, CEO of Stepping Stone. "Knowing his story and where he came from it is pretty amazing to see where he is today.

"He is such a helpful person, always looking for ways to help Stepping Stone and or clients. We are blessed to have him. If we had two or three more of him, we would be in a much better place," de Miranda said.

"I refer to him as our prince!"

Hardick recently stepped down as president, but is still very actively involved with Stepping Stone and the alumni group, which began in 1994 when a group of past Stepping Stone graduates came back together to create a way to stay connected to their peers.

The group participates in social activities and community service projects, helps with all of Stepping Stone's major fundraisers, and holds monthly meetings.

"We are like the big brothers and big sisters to the current Stepping Stone residents," Hardick said.

Hardick noted that any member of the recovery community is welcome to join the Alumni Association, whether or not they received services from Stepping Stone. The group holds meetings every third Monday of the month at 7:30 pm at Stepping Stone's residential facility.

One of the highlights for the Stepping Stone community is the residential program graduations held throughout the year.

"I wouldn't miss the graduation ceremonies," Hardick said. "It is a big highlight for me. I remember walking that stage, recalling the struggles I went through just to get there.

"It is even more amazing to me to see the current crop of graduates, as they are being faced with so many additional struggles due to the economy, but are still managing to stay sober."

The next Stepping Stone Graduation will be held tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 28, at War Memorial Auditorium in Balboa Park. The public is welcome.

Hardick, who is now working and very successful, receives much personal reward from supporting others who are going through their recovery process.

"It is the joy of my life," said Hardick, who serves as a "sponsor" for a handful of individuals managing sobriety. "Paying it forward is what it is all about -- they talk about having to give it away to keep it.

"When I see someone new come in [to Stepping Stone] and they are terrified, then 30-days later I see that light in their eyes, it reminds me of when I was there. We have to grab the people that came before and after us, and not let go.

"Anyone who is suffering from addiction problems and is ready to make a change their life should start out by calling Stepping Stone," Hardick said. "There are great Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and Crystal Meth Anonymous meetings out there. Let us take you to a meeting.

"The staff, alumni, and others are here for you want to help you until you can help yourself."

Hardick said he will always be grateful for his time at Stepping Stone. "They allowed me to be me and there was a safety in that. One thing I learned is that I will never be alone again -- I never used to believe that.

"I am just really happy," Hardick said.

Make your pledge to Stepping Stone HERE.