Coming Home
Neo’s Story of Finding Healing and Acceptance
My name is Alfortunado “Neo” Correa. There’s a long story to that nickname. I adopted it while being in York County Prison. I’ve been in prison numerous times.
I was eight years old the first time I tried something and got high. I was doing it just to fit in. Back then, smoking was a big thing. Going to jail was like a reward; it’s what made you a man. That’s the way we thought. That’s how it was in the Bronx. I lived in a rough neighborhood. We would find dead bodies in the alleys, and for us it was normal.
“I’ve never been to a place that helps people like this.”
Years later, now living in York, I had the police looking for me for a warrant. The narcotics teams were looking for me too. But this time, something clicked. I cried out to God for help. All I said was, “God, if you don’t do something with me, I’m going to die.” Help me because I don’t want to do this anymore.”
There’s a tree across from Penn Street Market—I call it my tree of life. At that tree in July 2012, that was the end of it. I was running from the police. I was running from the parole officer. I was running from the man I owed drug money. It was at that tree that I surrendered to God.
I was arrested that day, but my life was changed from that moment forward.
This July, God willing, I will celebrate 12 years of being clean. I now help people who come out of prison and help them get established with a place to live. It’s part of the ministry God has given me. He has cleaned me to now turn around and help others.
“The crazy thing about this place is that the doctors prayed with me. I had never heard of a doctor praying for a patient.”
I remember finding Katallasso at a time when I had a lot of knee pain. I didn’t have insurance. I needed to find a place to help me. One day I was walking the streets of my neighborhood and I read the Katallasso sign on their building. I saw people coming in and out and I heard it was a free clinic and medical center.
The crazy thing about this place is that the doctors prayed with me. I had never heard of a doctor praying for a patient. I came in for a physical, told them my story of all the drugs, and they accepted me.
Every couple months they will call to check up on my to see how I’m doing. My care is provided free of charge for me. And I want to live a life too that freely gives to others.
Katallasso is a great place that helps a lot of people. I’ve never been to a place that helps people like this. I can’t put words to it. The environment of love and care is special. It make me want to come to the doctors. I come to the clinic on a first-name basis. It feels like you’re coming home.
Neo Correa
Katallasso Patient