Jose Morales experienced first hand the consequences of alcoholism. After losing his family, home and his job as a Director of a factory in Mexico as a direct result of his alcoholism. Jose decided to seek the help of Alcoholics Anonymous and has been sober ever since.

In 1980, like many immigrants Jose began his voyage to New York with the hopes of earning and saving money to open up his own business back in Mexico, but he was also profoundly motivated to find more information about the AA philosophy and about it’s founders in the United States. While living in Corona, Queens he was alarmed by the amount of alcoholics he saw living in the streets and the lack of services available to them. Faced with this reality, Jose began to organize meetings for alcoholics in the community; he held these meetings in a restaurant where he worked as a waiter. In time the number of people needing help increased, this helped Jose make the decision to create a refuge for them. Jose was determined to provide the same services that in the past helped change his own life.

In 1991, with the help of four friends from Mexico who were also members of AA, Jose opened the doors of J24 for the first time by renting a basement apartment and offering room, board and 12 step meetings to those who wished to recover from the disease of alcoholism and substance abuse and reintegrate themselves back into society. In 1996 J24 moved to a one family home brought by Jose with his personal credit, savings and the help of the members of J24. J24 was incorporated as a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization in 2001. To date J24 has helped more than 4,100 clients, thanks to the voluntary donations of its members and the community.

Pictures Gallery:

AA Group in which José recieved help in México.

This is the meeting hall in which Jose woke up after his last drinking binge.

Jose assisting a National Alcoholics Anonymous Congress in Mexico in 1982.

Celebrating the 3rd Anniversary of J24 with family and friends. August 1994

Jose and Richard Strand Chairperson of J24. December 1995

Jose Morales celebrating his 14th anniversary of being a member of A.A. December 1996