SACO — David Lavigne left home at 14, spent much of his adult life in and out of jail or on the streets, and struggled with decades of substance abuse.

Today at 50, he’s sober, taking college readiness classes and forging a new life. It’s been a tough road, and sitting at the Saco Learning Center Thursday morning, he shared some of the challenges he’s faced.

Lavigne figures he’s spent a total of about 12 years in prison and about three in jail for driving violations, burglary, theft and forgery – all, he said, related to his addiction to alcohol and drugs.

Homelessness breeds more substance abuse, he said.

“All I wanted to do is get out of my head,” he said. “If you’re homeless, it makes everything else impossible. How can you get a job if you can’t shower?”

Homeless and with nowhere else to go, Lavigne finally admitted himself to Milestone, a residential substance abuse program for men in Old Orchard Beach, at the repeated urgings of a persistent counselor in Portland.

He recalls being “scared to death” as he walked through the classroom door the first day of class with College Readiness Certificate Program. It had been years since he went to school, having earned his high school equivalency diploma in 1986. “I’m so used to failing my whole life,” he said.

That was 17 months ago. He still lives at Milestone, albeit now in his own apartment, and will graduate later this month from the College Readiness Certificate Program through Old Orchard Beach/Saco Adult Education.

Since January, he’s been taking classes in writing, math, information technology and college survival skills at the Saco Learning Center.

He is no longer on probation, but because he is a convicted felon, there are barriers, he said. There are restrictions on housing, and a felony record can make it difficult to get food stamps or MaineCare. His criminal records must be given when applying for financial aid or school admission, and although he’s been told it’s just part of the procedure, he wonders how it will impact his chances.

Ryan Thornell, associate commissioner of the Maine Department of Corrections, said when prisoners finish their sentences, they may have difficulty locating to a place with the support services they need or have trouble finding work or housing because of their criminal records.

Thornell said education is a priority in the corrections system, and prisoners start their sentences with an educational assessment. The focus is on leaving the system more educated with the skills required for employment or continuing their education, he said.

Getting an education certainly doesn’t eliminate all the barriers an exoffender has when trying to get back on his or her feet again, but national studies have proven that education reduces recidivism. And education, whether it’s a high school diploma program, vocational education or a college degree, is a very important part of a successful life outside prison.

Lavigne has had to learn to believe in himself, and be willing to both ask for help and accept it. He realizes now he’s capable of things he never thought possible.

There have been so many people willing to help him, he said. Living on the streets, he had learned not to trust people.

“It’s like there are two different worlds, and I live in a world I never thought existed,” he said.

He plans to begin classes this fall at University College in Saco, which is part of the University of Maine system.

Lavigne has experience in carpentry and construction, but said he isn’t physically able to pursue those fields full-time. He is thinking about pursuing a career as a drug rehabilitation counselor, as he’d like to help others.

“I have a future to look forward to. It’s pretty amazing,” he said. “I gotta say, life is pretty good at the moment. Better than it’s ever been.”

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 325 or [email protected].