An interview with Mr. Leonard Stroble about his experiences with PAD, finding support, and looking toward the future.
“Through PAD, I learned that I don't have to fight this battle alone.”
—Mr. Leonard Stroble
The Interview
Interviewer:
Mr. Stroble, tell us a little bit about yourself. What would you want people to know about you?
Mr. Leonard Stroble:
First of all, my name is Leonard Stroble. I was a participant with PAD. When I started out, it was during COVID. I've been with them since that time.
When I met PAD, I was sleeping in an abandoned hotel off of Auburn Avenue. There was this one yellow van that used to come and get us. That's when I joined PAD. They picked me up and saved me.
Since that time, I have never been back to my old ways. I've been improving ever since. That's the truth of the matter.
Interviewer:
What was going on in your life at the time, and what kind of support were you looking for?
Mr. Leonard Stroble:
Well, I can answer that in two ways. I was confused at that time. I was running the streets and using drugs, doing all kinds of things. I'd been arrested for all kinds of things.
But at the same time, I wanted to do better. And for some reason, I just could not do better until I met certain people at PAD.
One of the people I liked specifically was Miss Devona Martin Frazier. She was my first case manager. I think that's what they called themselves at the time.
The police sent her out there to talk to the homeless people who were sleeping in that building. She asked me if I wanted to go with her, and I said yes.
She told me, “If you go with me and follow some instructions, I will stick with you.”
And she did.
From that point on, I've been with PAD.
Interviewer:
What did she or PAD do that helped you accomplish things that might have been difficult to do on your own?
Mr. Leonard Stroble:
Well, I had been in a lot of programs before PAD. I couldn't make it with those other programs because if I messed up one time, I had to go. That's just the way programs were at that time. You got to go.
I had been in a lot of houses and sent to a lot of centers for drug treatment, but I couldn't make it. They just wouldn't deal with me anymore.
In my opinion, they were short on patience.
Interviewer:
How did the opportunity come about for you to become a staff member at PAD?
Mr. Leonard Stroble:
I met Miss Jasmine Moore, who now works at PAD, some years ago.
When I became a participant, I just started volunteering. There were some things that needed fixing around the office space where she was working, and I started telling her, "I can fix some of those things. I can probably help out."
And she allowed me to do that.
I've been with her ever since then.
Interviewer:
What does it mean to you now to work for the same organization that once supported you?
Mr. Leonard Stroble:
Well, it means a whole lot to me, you know. I feel like I've got a support system now.
Through PAD, I learned that I've got a support system. Through PAD, I learned that I don't have to fight this battle alone.
And I really do mean that, you know, because before this, I really thought I was fighting and battling by myself.
But through the people at PAD, I found some friends. Some people who were willing to help me do the things that I didn't understand. And they have been there for me.
So, I've been hanging in there with them.
Interviewer:
What are you most proud of when you look back at how far you've come?
Mr. Leonard Stroble:
One thing I'm proud of now is that, like I said, when I got to PAD, I had nowhere to stay. I was staying in an old hotel.
Today, I have a place to live. I've got a nice place now, you know what I mean? It started out kind of rough, but I've got a nice one now. (Mr. Stroble laughs.)
Now I've got a real shower. I've got a job, you know what I'm saying?
And since I've been with PAD, I've been able to discontinue some of the benefits I was getting because I can work. I've been working.
I'm retired, and you get a lot of benefits with retirement. I still enjoy those benefits, but I don't have to rely on a lot of the other resources I relied on before I got to PAD.
I can work, and I can do things by myself.
Right now, I'm getting ready to buy myself a truck.
Interviewer:
What would you want to tell somebody who is struggling right now? What would you want them to know?
Mr. Leonard Stroble:
Don't give up. Please don't give up.
And if you haven't tried PAD, try PAD, man.
I completely endorse PAD. It's the best program in town. And the reason I know is because I've been in all the programs in town! (Mr. Stroble laughs.)
They'll send you on your way after the first mistake you make. I've been through a lot.
I ain't no superstar, but PAD understands. I can still come and talk to PAD and get things done. That's how I've been making it.
Like I say, I ain't never done this good in a long time.
Interviewer:
What would you tell community leaders and city officials about why it's important to invest in organizations like PAD?
Mr. Leonard Stroble:
Because the people at PAD, their philosophy about helping people is genuine. It's genuine.
I don't know where they get it from, but I know one thing: I agree with the concept.
I agree with giving a man a second chance and helping him out when he needs it.
And that's what PAD does.
That's what I say to the people: Endorse PAD and donate to PAD.
This program needs to be spread all over the world, and that's the truth.
Interviewer:
Since you're still a young man, when you think about your future, what are you most excited about?
Mr. Leonard Stroble:
I'm 70 years old. I'm not young. I don't feel young. I feel 70 years old! (Mr. Stroble laughs.)
I'm grateful to be 70, you know what I'm saying?
I'm 70, but I asked God to give me some additional time because I know that I haven't done everything I want to do.
I read somewhere that God gave someone in the Bible some additional time. And ever since I read that, I've been asking God for additional time, to let me get some things together before He takes me away.
Interviewer:
That was the last question, sir. Thank you so much. That was excellent, bro. It was really good to hear your story.