About Us

Joseph “Joey" Domenici was a 21 year old son, brother, boyfriend, grandson, nephew, and friend who on November 4, 2019, passed away after a long battle with drug addiction. We say long because, at the young age of 16, Joey bravely went to his family in search of professional help with his substance abuse. From that moment on, Joey fought the fight and he fought it hard. From Massachusetts to California, from Florida, back home to us. Inpatient programs, outpatient programs, detoxes, Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, sections, you name it, Joey did it. There were times that his family guided Joey into a program, while most times Joey took it upon himself to seek help. Joey wanted nothing more than to be sober. He was so proud of himself for the huge accomplishments he had made with his sobriety. Even through his years of fighting his addiction, Joey completed high school, secured employment, continued with sports that he loved, and kept long, loving relationships with family, friends, and his supportive girlfriend.

 

Even to this day, while we are meeting new people through the community, we hear of stories from past friends and acquaintances about their times with Joey. Some of these men were in the same programs and sober living as Joey was. Let me remind you that these men were fighting the hardest fight of their lives, and this is still how Joey decided to show his true character. For instance, while Joey was living in the sober house, all of the men were in search of employment. Joey was in contact with a previous employer and instead of taking that job for himself, he got one of the roommates in contact with the employer, and that man is still working for that company today! Yes, Joey could have taken the job for himself, but thought of others instead. Another gentleman within the sober community asked if anyone could give him a ride to the dentist. Joey was the only one who responded, and proceeded to ask his mother to use her car for the day and drive the man to his appointment. No one was willing to go out of their way, sit outside during the appointment and drive back in time for curfew, but Joey was. Looking back, we as his family had no idea why he needed the car. We were trusting him that he was doing the right thing. Recovery is about gaining trust back with the family as well. 

 

Hearing these stories makes our hearts so full. These are just a few of the amazing stories we have heard or experienced ourselves. We could go on and on about Joey's character and the man he was before and during his addiction. These stories just go to show that this is who Joey really was. Joey was more than his addiction.