Throughout the bustling halls of Zepf Center, amid meetings, groups, and outreach efforts, Zepf Center’s Senior Director of Outpatient and Recovery Support Services Steve Kapela is sure to be found. Kapela is an icon at Zepf Center, not only for his accolades and achievements but for his remarkable story of redemption.

Those who venture to Kapela's office are greeted with a visual feast upon entering—awards, certifications, model train memorabilia, and a mugshot or two from Kapela's earlier years—a testament to his life and recovery journey. Yet, among these mementos and accolades, one shines brightest: a framed pardon signifying years of hard work and dedication to his recovery.

Kapela officially earned his pardon in Sepember 2023 after beginning the process nearly three years prior. Through the Ohio Governor's Expedited Pardon Project, qualified participants can apply and be granted a full pardon from the Governor. Although this is a crucial tool for citizens like Kapela, the process remains complicated and time-consuming. However, the program is offered at no cost to qualified applicants due to grants and community support.

When Kapela was a teenager, he was involved in a serious accident that led to a dependence on prescription medications. By the age of 15, he was regularly using drugs and alcohol, leading to a cycle of addiction that lasted almost 35 years. His addiction not only drained his finances but also eroded his relationships and tarnished his reputation. Although he never committed any violent crimes, the repercussions still impacted his life and the lives of those he cared about.

After years of addiction to drugs, alcohol, and gambling, Kapela got sober at age 47. Despite his past wrongdoings, he spent the following years pursuing recovery, determined to reclaim his life.

"I spent a few years working on myself, using 12-step recovery, because I had to learn how to be responsible and how to grow up,” Kapela said. "Recovery is when you stop creating harm, clean up your mess, and seek redemption."

After making a name for himself in the local recovery community, Kapela found his calling as a counselor in 2010. Despite lacking traditional education requirements, he pursued a master's degree at the age of 50 and remained passionately committed to advancing his career and supporting his clients.

Kapela learned about the Ohio Governor's Expedited Pardon Project in 2017 while working at Zepf Center. At the time, he was working with Craig Gebers who now serves as Zepf Center’s Chief Recovery Officer. Gebers asked Kapela to attend a meeting about the Pardon Project, and the rest was history. 

Initially, Kapela attended the session to gather information for clients in recovery, but after reviewing the criteria, he realized that although many of his clients would not yet qualify, he would be able to participate. As he learned more about the pardon program, he realized that this was going to be the next big challenge he planned to face.

Applicants for the Ohio Governor's Expedited Pardon Project must have no felony or misdemeanor convictions in the last 10 years, complete all sentence requirements before the 10-year period, make good-faith efforts to meet all requirements of sentencing, exhibit post-offense employment history or a compelling reason for unemployment and demonstrate efforts to give back to the community.

When Kapela first learned about the program, he still had a few loose ends to tie up, but the opportunity to earn his pardon gave him even more motivation. After sharing his story, he was invited to visit the University of Akron School of Law where students and law professionals helped him prepare his expedited pardon application. 

“You basically write a book,” Kapela said about his application process. “You have to answer for and explain every charge—everything on your criminal record.”

In each municipality, state, and jurisdiction, Kapela explained his journey and shared his story. When the application was finally completed, the vast document was sent to the Ohio Parole Board for an extensive review. After Kapela’s application cleared the initial investigation, he appeared before seven Ohio Parole Board members for a pardon recommendation hearing.

“At that point, they weren’t talking about my past,” Kapela said. “It was about how I had worked to reinvent myself, what my recovery looked like.”

Shortly after the hearing, Kapela was notified of his pardon in September 2023. His journey came full circle when he was invited to a special reception by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, alongside other recipients of the Project's first 100 pardons. It was a moment of triumph, a celebration of resilience in the face of adversity.

“For me, this doesn’t unlock some new opportunity, but it gives me a sense of accomplishment: that I have redeemed myself in the face of a society that I hurt,” Kapela said. 

Kapela wants his journey to serve as a beacon of hope for those battling addiction. Through his work at Zepf Center, he seeks to inspire others to believe in the possibility of recovery. His message is clear: redemption is attainable, but it requires courage, determination, and unwavering commitment.

“The opposite of addiction is not abstinence, the opposite of addiction is responsibility,” Kapela said. "Becoming responsible is very hard, but everything worthwhile in life is hard to get.”

Beyond his professional achievements, Kapela's greatest legacy lies in his ability to lead by example. His passion for helping others transcends accolades or recognition. For him, the true measure of success lies in the lives he touches and the hope he instills in others.

“You can’t just tell people what to do or how to do it; you actually have to do it yourself,” he said. "I have to continue letting people know that recovery is possible and that someone actually did it.”

As Kapela continues his work at Zepf Center, he remains committed to guiding others on their journey to recovery. His story is a testament to the transformative power of determination and the resilience of the human spirit. In a world often obsessed with despair, Steve Kapela stands as a beacon of hope—a living testament to the possibility of redemption, recovery, and renewal.

"Steve's story is an incredible example of the power of hope and treatment," said Zepf Center CEO Deb Flores. "People like him are vital to the success of our clients. We are incredibly lucky to have his experience, dedication, and expertise in this organization."

To learn more about the Ohio Governor's Expedited Pardon Project, visit https://governor.ohio.gov/priorities/expedited-pardon-project.

For more information about addiction treatment at Zepf Center, visit https://www.zepfcenter.org.