Steven’s Story The last 7 years of his life, my son Steven was caught in a web of active addiction, homelessness, rehab, recovery, psychosis, psyche wards and med adjustments. Through it all he struggled with loneliness, fear, guilt and self-loathing, ultimately leading back to active addiction.

Through the years, wherever Steven went, I followed. I visited him in many settings, and felt the common factors of sadness and pain in all of them. 

While visiting recovery facilities and psyche wards, I met many other residents, all fighting for a common goal, but many who had no family or friends by their side to encourage their progress and celebrate their achievements.

When Steven was homeless, he told me of the kindnesses offered to him by total strangers with generous hearts. Every kindness, regardless how small, meant the world to Steven. But, when I spent time with him in the city, I saw something very different. I saw his attempts to be friendly being ignored, and people desperately trying to avoid making eye contact.  Steven never stopped trying to reach out though. He greeted everyone with a friendly smile.

We lost Steven on November 13, 2015. He was 23 years old. He was one of the most sensitive, empathetic, sweet, loving, generous souls I’ve had the honor to know. Steve lived a life filled with pain, fear and loneliness, yet what he yearned for most was acceptance, and his dream of “getting better” so he could help other people struggling like him.

It is with Steven’s life experiences and his goal in mind that Steven’s Stockings was born. We believe, as Steven did, that regardless of their past, everyone deserves love, acceptance, and encouragement, in their fight for a better life.