Newsletter

I grew up in a two-parent home where my parents were supportive and taught me right from wrong. However, both worked a lot, so I often stayed with my aunt when they were at work. My aunt drank frequently, and my parents were busy, so I had a lot of unsupervised time on my hands. At the early age of 11 or 12, I saw my cousin selling drugs, and I was curious to see what all the hype was about. So, I asked to be “turned on,” meaning that I asked to be given drugs to sell. That was my introduction to the sex and drug scene. I was completely lost. My parents didn’t spend enough time with me when I was growing up, and I filled that void with relationships and drugs. At the age of 14, I became a first-time parent. Now, I have four children, whose ages range from one to 28 years old. My choices and lifestyle have led to their absence in my life.

My struggle with drugs worsened significantly after I lost both of my parents within a couple of years. My dad passed away in 2018, just a week after receiving his diagnosis. I didn’t attend his funeral; instead, I threw myself into work and sank deeper into my drug use to avoid dealing with the grief.

In July 2020, my mom passed away. After her funeral, my drug use spiraled out of control. There were times when I would stay awake for days and then crash for only 15 or 20 minutes at a time. A few days later, I blacked out while driving and ran off the road somewhere near Byron. When I came to, I noticed I was wearing a shirt of hers. I felt a profound connection to her, and her passing was more than I could handle. Their deaths marked a significant turning point in my life. After nearly 30 years of exhausting myself on the drug scene, neglecting my kids, and not maintaining stable employment, I realized that my life needed to change. I was in desperate need of help, so I reached out to various agencies for assistance. However, every program I contacted required fees that I simply could not afford. Then, I learned about the Rescue Mission, where I could receive the support, I needed without the financial burden of paying any fees. I met with a staff member from the men’s program and was accepted immediately. Coming here has changed my life tremendously. I pray more than I ever did, and my belief in God is reinforced by the positive changes in my life since joining the program. I can enjoy myself without being high, and I’m happier than I’ve ever been. I’m engaging more in conversations with others, and my family relationships are being restored. All four of my kids are glad that I am no longer absent from their lives. On my first day here, I felt completely lost, and I wasn’t quite sure that this was what I needed. However, I’m now glad I decided to stay, because I am feeling more confident. For the first time in my life, I am not ashamed to share my struggles, and I truly believe that God is the Lord of my life.

After graduating from the Rescue Mission, I plan to change my environment, including the people, places, and things around me. I have received a job offer at a restaurant, a position I once thought I would never take. However, my time here has shown me that I can succeed in this role without resorting to drugs, and it will allow me to provide for my family. I aspire to be the man that God believes I can be, both for myself and for my children. I intend to use the tools I learned in the Life Recovery Program at the Rescue Mission to support my journey. I now care about others and consider how my actions affect them. I have learned to be patient and wait. In the past, I wouldn’t have been able to sit still for this long to put my life together unless I was forced to, such as when I went to jail or prison. I plan to stay in contact with the people God has placed in my life at the Mission, and I will always put Him first.