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RECOVERING HIS PASSION FOR PAINTING AT STATION HOUSE

‘Hola, Amigo’ is the light-hearted hello any staff member or resident receives from Orlando Diaz – the artist of 2601 North Broad Street in Philadelphia, where the VOADV Behavioral Health programs are located. 

Orlando was born in 1958 and was raised by his parents in Barranquitas, Puerto Rico. He spent most of his early years among his 12 brothers and sisters on the family farm, and came to the mainland in 1970, at age 12.

Upon arrival, Orlando knew no English and moved with family members to North Philadelphia. He was enrolled at Penn Treaty School where he learned English-as-a-second language and slowly became fluent.

Within a few years, however, Orlando drifted away from family and became involved with people who did not make positive choices. The development of a mental health condition aggravated the behavior and worsened his decision-making ability; eventually he was incarcerated, and later he was treated at Norristown State hospital in Norristown, Pa.

While at Norristown he began to rekindle his passion for art. “Every time I was invited to an art exhibition I won an award,” he recalls. “I started with drawings and tracings. Now I am doing paintings, many paintings, amigo.”

Orlando was released from Norristown State hospital into the Volunteers of America Delaware Valley ISSI program and was introduced to program staff by this Intensive Case Manager. He was welcomed as the newest Station House – ISSI program resident by staff and others residents in December, 2006. He subsequently enrolled at Cohmar, Inc.’s Latino Men’s day program.

“I try to tell others that doing the right thing, taking medications and following my program helped me to recover and follow my dreams,” Orlando says. “There are others who can do the same thing.”

Orlando began his recovery at our ISSI program, a 14-bed forensic MH residential program, where he was a resident for one and a half years. He was then invited to move next door to the Step Down program, a 9-bed residential program which offers similar continuation of treatment and extended aftercare reintegration services for those ready to embrace a less restricted environment.

According to Crystal Johnson, the BH Treatment Coordinator, “Orlando has embraced recovery. He is not afraid to ask for help to live his dreams. He wants better. He wants to be an inspiration to his ISSI peers, and he feels he has assisted his housemates at Step-Down to embrace recovery".
 

Gerald Hunter, a friend of Orlando’s and also a resident of the Step Down program, says the artist has “a lot of different ideas and talent, and his paintings are very nice…he would be successful going into business for himself.”

Through his recovery, Orlando has also restored ties with his family. “I speak to my sister, my brother and mother now; many times. Maybe when I send my mother some paintings or a video she will say ‘That is my son who I have not seen in many years,’ and she is proud of me.” 

The Station House staff has been influential to his transition and continued success. Orlando would especially like to thank Crystal Johnson, Thomas Knight and Detra Mathias, as well as all the staff at ISSI and the Step Down programs for their help in his recovery. His art and personality have become staples of the community here, and many offices in the building have become galleries of his latest works.

“I hope to have a job and sell paintings to people, too,” Orlando says. “I would like to help others in the community and just live as a regular person.” He is currently being considered for a new supportive housing program where he will continue to have the opportunity to do just that.

To contact Orlando about purchasing a painting, please call (215) 225-4879.

--written by Orlando Diaz, with Jim Noone