Nothing ever seems to keep Ralph Pasquale Jr. down. He always has a smile and keeps on going no matter what happens. Mr. Pasquale served his country as a hull technician in the Navy from 1979 through 1982. Born in Chicago, Illinois, he moved to Arkansas when he was fourteen and joined the Navy at seventeen.
He returned to Arkansas after leaving the military and worked as a general contractor. He developed substance abuse issues and after treatment received his Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) certification. Relapse due to prescription pain medication eventually led to his treatment at Foot Root in 2017. After completing the program, he came to St. Francis House, graduated from the program, and moved into permanent housing. He received his Associate degree from Pulaski Technical College and began a program at the University of Central Arkansas in the fall of 2020. Problems in his applications for Social Security Disability and VA disability combined with COVID caused him to withdraw from the program and as the delays in his benefits drug on, financial difficulties caused him to return to St. Francis House. he is currently continuing his fight for benefits and looking for a place to live through the HUD/VASH program. He would eventually like to return to school to finish his bachelor’s.
“I am grateful to St. Francis House for all the help I’ve gotten. St. Francis House really is like family; they are always there to help you out.”