Steve Manko - Founder and President
Meeting Steve Manko today, one would never expect that he had in the past been dependant on drugs or alcohol, but it is true. Dependency does not discriminate and Steve’s personal story is a testament to that. Steve’s journey of addiction followed by recovery represents a mind-set that is full of determination, dedication and constant vigilance. These facets of Steve’s personality allowed the realization of helping others in need. This desire has become a reality that manifests itself in the form of a recovery home called the Boca House.
Steve had to fight a personal battle of chemical dependency in order to build a life that makes a difference. Because of his nature Steve realized that recovering then leaving would not benefit anyone, especially himself. Steve had come to know that recovery is a life long process that takes the support of family, friends and most importantly, others who have gone through the process of becoming clean and sober. Steve’s intimate knowledge of addiction and recovery, coupled with his rediscovered professionalism and social graces has allowed him the ability to bring the treatment of recovering addicts to a new level of care and support that has broken stereotypes and brought the recovery industry into the realm of possibility and new frontiers. This path was not a smooth road without hurdles, but nothing could block the determination of a man with a true mission in life, to help others going through the difficulties of addiction that have a true desire for recovery.
After twenty years of dedicated service and thirty rehabilitation facilities that exist in this area as the result of this vision and passion, Steve was ready to face a new foe. Discrimination of those who have lost their way through addiction is a continuing issue for those in recovery. Knowing that only a small percentage of addicts are actually harmful to anyone but themselves, Steve brought, and won a case in federal court regarding the discrimination of disabled persons. After five years of emotional and financial drain Steve was able to see to it personally that federal law now protects the rights of recovering men and women in new respectful ways. No longer would recovering addicts be outcasts who were before considered undesirable neighbors. Steve actually educated the courts regarding the destructive disease of addiction, as well as how the tremendous cost that un-treated addiction can weigh on the economy.
The genius of this approach of course got the attention of the federal courts resulting in an industry that has opened up in new more secure areas where they would previously not be welcomed. No one act has had such an impact on the quality of treatment for recovering addicts. The removal of public stigmas alone has done wonders for, and brought more recovering addicts into the light of life-long recovery.
Steve’s ability to embrace individuals at every level of recovery and socio-economic status with unprecedented success, as well as creating a new view of the issues and problems of addiction have resulted in this area of South Florida becoming the largest recovery community in the world. This is the proud and courageous legacy of a man who cares, a man named Steve Manko.
