Imagine the concept of “Pay it forward” and your mind would probably go right to Ben Brooks, Jr., the CEO of San Antonio nonprofit with the same name, Pay It Forward. His story exemplifies this philosophy, inspiring donors to understand why he dedicates himself to such impactful work in our city.

Ben’s journey with Pay It Forward began as a resident at their sobriety recovery facility in San Antonio. Once battling substance abuse, Ben now leads the program that saved his life. After completing the program, the Madison High School graduate was hired as a dorm manager in 2018.

Reflecting on his path, Ben says, “Pay It Forward gave me an opportunity for employment. I started at an entry-level, learning from the staff and CEO about helping others. This opportunity allowed me to grow, pursue further education at San Antonio College, and eventually become CEO.”

Pay It Forward’s powerful programs are less about Ben and more about their community impact. Located on the Haven for Hope campus, they offer three transformative programs for individuals recovering from substance use disorder. The first, provides yearlong residential sober dorms for those who have completed treatment, requiring residents to attend 12-step meetings, have a sponsor, and find employment if possible.

Another program is a 90-day residential treatment for women released from Bexar County Jail. Working with the Bexar County Court System and Lifetime Recovery, this initiative offers a therapeutic alternative to incarceration.

“We get an opportunity to love, encourage, support, and help individuals see how great life can be if they remain abstinent from drugs and alcohol,” Ben explains.

Pay It Forward also partners with 112 sober living houses across San Antonio and nearby cities, offering scholarships for those needing financial assistance to start their recovery journey. “We help them get on their feet and hit the ground running,” Ben says.

He understands the interplay between substance abuse and mental health, especially in today’s culture wars. He notes, “Untreated grief can lead to homelessness and substance use disorder. It’s become so common that it affects San Antonio’s children. Raising awareness can change our city’s future.”

Reflecting on his journey, Ben feels time has flown by. “When you do what you love, it doesn’t feel like work. Serving at this level and encouraging individuals who might have given up on themselves is incredibly fulfilling. I’m all in and it keeps me going.”

Ben was in the SVPSA Fellowship Class 4, which finished this March. He told Executive Director, Becky Dinnin, “Going into year two of being the CEO has given me some challenges. All of the additional funding that we received during the Pandemic has practically run out. Because I was able to participate in the cohort, I was better prepared to establish a strategic plan for fundraising and development, so we would make up the difference going forward.  SVP has given me most of how I operate and it’s because of the instruction, collaboration, and the inspiration.”

His advice for those seeking to help others is simple yet profound: “Encourage those around you and seek out help when needed. Tell an adult, and hopefully, they will guide the child to get help.”

Ben also highlights the need for more resources for women battling substance use disorder in San Antonio. “We want to provide holistic recovery access for men, women, and children, partnering with others doing similar work,” he states, embodying the mission and vision to Pay It Forward.

SVPSA’s support for Pay it Forward includes supplementing the cost of the Fellowship as well as an annual subscription to Catchafire, the online skilled volunteer tool. To continue to support nonprofits like Pay it Forward, you can give to SVPSA directly, or contact the Pay it Forward website.