BY CHAD ARNOLD, The Daily Gazette

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — Eddie Polanco never imagined he would have a meaningful life when he was in and out of jail and various rehabilitation programs over the course of several years.

Homeless, Polanco’s life was confined to a city block, where he would spend days without speaking to anyone. On the few occasions someone acknowledged his existence, Polanco would look around to make sure they were in fact speaking to him before clearing the build up of phlegm lodged in his throat so he could respond.

“Everything that happened was on that block,” he said. “It was all criminal activity.”

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