Tom Hounihan, 82, has made MorningStar Mission his mission for 17 years. He signed on as a volunteer for the Men’s 180 Residential Recovery Program, first helping our guests with job readiness. Ten years ago, he founded an open AA meeting at the Mission and began serving as a mentor to residents in the program. To date, Tom estimates that he has mentored about 40 men and sponsored even more through AA over the years.

Sober for 39 years now, Tom inspires hope in our guests. He tells us how failure led to success and lasting transformation in his own life. “I failed in jobs and became a job search trainer. I failed with pride and learned humility. And I failed with alcohol and now I’m helping others achieve sobriety.”

As a mentor, Tom motivates our program residents to tap into that resilience in their own lives. “The key thing is to listen to them,” he says. “They may have anger, fears, apprehensions. I can be there for them as a friend and guide them through the six-month program.”

Asked what has kept him coming back week after week for so many years, he gives a simple answer: It makes him feel good to help people. “When I’m driving home from the Mission, I’m just in seventh heaven!” he says.

Would you like to become a mentor and make the Mission your mission? Tom has some advice for you. “If you have a problem, go help your fellow man. You can’t worry about yourself when you’re helping someone else. Just share your experiences and empathize with them. If you don’t, who will? Give it a try!” Learn more about how to get involved.