Kiki’s Story

Kiki Martinez talks about “My Journey in Recovery – The 12 Steps Definitely Work!” by Susan W of The Alano Club of San Jose.

Anthony (Kiki) Martinez has turned his life completely around!  This is his journey to pass along for those new in recovery. On Christmas Eve of 2008, Kiki returned to San Jose from Project 90 (Napa). While living in a homeless shelter, he walked each morning with his box of clothes to the Alano Club and stayed all day – attended meetings and volunteered his time. In the first week, he met Mike A, who gave him a Big Book, walked him through the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, and became his sponsor. Each night, Kiki would return to the shelter, and do the same thing every day. Within his first year of sobriety, he was hired as an employee at the Club. It wasn’t long before he began sponsoring a newcomer, Anthony R– “giving back is a wonderful thing!” says Kiki. And it just got better and better. Kiki left the gang life that was the only adult life that he knew, completed parole for the first time ever, and graduated the CET Program as an Auto Technician. However, Kiki’s passion continued to grow as an employee at the Club – being in service and helping others with recovery. And, he was good at it! Today, Kiki is married to Terisa, and they have 3 children – Mercedes, Koa , and Anthony Jr. They no longer take a bus – they drive their nice car. Kiki’s words of wisdom often include “The 12 Steps definitely work!”