Changing Lives for the Better
Daniel's Story ~ Our Mission
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Daniel grew up in Whitestone, New York. He attended school, excelled in sports, was a loving son to his parents, Laura and Michael, and a devoted big brother to his sister, Lily. When he was in his late teens, Daniel began experimenting with drugs. In the years to come this eventually led to a terrible addiction to heroin. For years thereafter, Daniel was in and out of programs and detox facilities seeking help. It was while he was in a facility in Jamaica, Queens, that Daniel was directed to St. Christopher’s Inn, a substance abuse treatment center in upstate New York. His three month stay in early 2014 was a steppingstone to a changed life. It was there that Daniel found the support, encouragement, and inner strength needed to truly address the disease of addiction.
After completing his care upstate, Daniel felt that returning to Whitestone was not the best move and as a result, he relocated to a residential facility in Delray Beach, Florida. This was another turning point for Daniel. While he continued to wrestle with his addiction he soon found himself leading a sober life. During Daniel’s three years in Florida, he formed many relationships both inside and outside of the treatment community. Daniel’s athletic nature had led him to join a Florida handball league. It was there he formed many dear friendships and had the opportunity to be a positive influence within his “handball family.” Daniel also worked at a residential facility where he continued to help and encourage many to value the Program and work diligently on their sobriety. In June 2017, with the support of family, the promise of a new job and his old room back, Daniel moved home to Whitestone. By that time, Daniel had a year and a half of sobriety and was glad to be home to begin a new life. Once home, he attended meetings, created new friendships, and continued to help and inspire others to live a clean and sober life. Always grateful to give back in any way that he could, Daniel would often return to speak at meetings in the facilities that helped him during his journey, both in New York and in Florida. With great tenacity and determination, Daniel’s passion for sports and fitness soon translated from a daily training regimen in the gym to running Spartan Obstacle Races throughout the Northeast. Daniel, always wanting to encourage and involve others, soon had a group of friends racing as well. In the midst of this, Daniel’s aspiration to become a personal trainer had him begin the enrollment process for certification courses. Whether physically, mentally or spiritually, Daniel always wanted to see people achieve and be the best they could be. On December 12, 2018, at the age of 27, Daniel passed away from an undetected heart condition. Daniel had just recently celebrated his third anniversary of sobriety of which were three wonderful years of an active and impactful life that so many of us had the opportunity to share. The outpouring of life-changing stories from those who Daniel had known and helped continues to serve as a reminder of his humble and selfless character. Whether here in New York or in Florida, Daniel’s kind and caring heart has touched and changed more lives than he would have ever known. It is Daniel’s indelible spirit of determination and his desire to help others that guides the work of the Daniel Copersino Foundation. Please join us in honoring Daniel’s life and support our mission as we continue on to help change lives for the better. “You are forever in our hearts, Daniel. Our world is a better place because you were in it.” Photo: Daniel and his sister Lily, September 2018. Crest Hollow Country Club at the wedding of dear friend and “big brother” Tarek Elabasy. A FACEBOOK POST BY DANIEL IN JUNE 2016...
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