By KYLE HUMPHREYS
Staff Writer
Vacuuming the halls of Albertus as students leave their evening classes and clubs, he is one of the many friendly custodians this campus boasts. Those who know him may cite impassioned discussions about basketball or soccer, or how diligent he is in his work. Pasquale Brescia is more than a sports-fanatic custodian; Brescia is an unsuspecting champion for men struggling with addiction.
Brescia, 42, was born in Catskill, NY. An only child and careless student, he barely made it through high school. Although his adolescent years were spent drinking, partying, and engaging in reckless behavior, he managed to graduate from high school regardless. Throughout his twenties, he struggled with addiction and alcoholism that eventually left him homeless. With nowhere to turn, Brescia came to Albany in 2005 seeking help for addiction at the Capital City Rescue Mission.
After a year of treatment, Brescia worked with the mission for four years before going to Carin College in Philadelphia to pursue a degree in general studies. The director of The Rescue Mission was able to obtain a conditional scholarship for Brescia so that he could attend the school. Before he could earn his degree, Brescia began abusing Adderall. He frequently suffered regular panic attacks and poor mental health. As a result, his performance faltered and he found himself expelled and homeless. He came back to Albany in 2012, and, after successfully completing rehabilitation again with the Rescue Mission, became a custodian with The College of Saint Rose in 2013. One day he may return to school, but Brescia is satisfied with the work he does. His dream career would be doing full time counseling in private practice for people struggling with addiction.
When he isn’t working on campus, Brescia is volunteering with The Capital City Rescue Mission helping men who are also struggling with addiction. Without the rescue mission, Brescia said he would very likely still be addicted and homeless. Working with The Rescue Mission allows Brescia to not only help people whose shoes he has worn many times before, but to give back to The Rescue Mission for helping him and giving him a place to stay. Brescia pays lower rent as a volunteer, helping men with addiction Mondays and weekends. Tuesday mornings he leads a 12-step program for men recovering from addiction.
“I see men who come in, and they’re broken with no hope,” said Brescia. “Ten [to] 11 months later working, giving back to society, giving back to the mission, staying clean, seeing their relationships with their family restored, and it’s awesome to watch.”
His astounding character has made him an extremely effective resource at The Rescue Mission for recovering addicts. His mother Pamela Starkey, 68, is a volunteer coordinator at The Rescue Mission. Starkey describes Brescia as an excellent judge of character with an uncanny ability to see what people are like on the inside.
“From the time he was five he always brought home the best friends,” said Starkey.
Though he judges the character of others, he is not judgmental. Having struggled with addiction in the past, Brescia knows what it’s like and when the addicts he works with are making excuses. He doesn’t turn to shame and supports the men he works with.
On campus, Brescia appreciates the diversity of the students, faculty, and staff. Without being contracted through a third party, the benefits and wages Brescia gets through the college are better than other places he has worked. He speaks about sports with other students and coaches, including Mike Perno, 41, basketball coach for the men’s team. They initially met when Brescia was stationed to clean the offices in the basement of the Events and Athletic Center.
“[He] could do enough for you…very outgoing and very personable…his outgoing personality has really stood out to me,” said Perno. “He’s always a guy who loves a game of basketball, and he always has a comment or two about what he liked or didn’t like about certain games.”
Anthony Barker, the College’s Wellness and Fitness Center Coordinator, also remarked on Brescia’s humility and heart for others.
“He cultivates and values the sincere connections he makes here…Pasquale listens,” said Barker.
The connections Brescia makes transcends departments. He may be a custodian, but that is merely one of his job titles. A sincere man of strong character, we all have something to learn from Brescia.
