“I couldn’t do anything without drugs,” says John, the son of a minister. “I lost my family, I was homeless and I’ve been to prison.” Like so many of the men here at the Mission, John had been introduced to drugs as a young man. And for nearly 25 years, the powerful grip of addiction cast a dark cloud over his life. “I came to the Mission because I was sick and tired of being sick and tired,” John says. Our staff and counselors opened their arms to John, without judgment, which is exactly what he needed. He was soon placed in Parker House, our residential discipleship program that offers men a safe environment in which to grow spiritually while healing from addiction and other destructive behaviors. “I always had God in my life,” John says. “I left God. God never left me. But I truly surrendered when I came to Parker House.” When John graduated from the program, he began volunteering at the Mission as a way of giving back.
Before long, he accepted a job with us, working in housekeeping and maintenance. He is happy for the work and loves the opportunity to encourage men entering the program. “I share my story with anybody that wants to hear it,” John says. “If I can do it, they can do it. And if they need to talk, I’m here, because somebody was there for me.” John has now been clean for 4 years and has reconnected with his family. He is deeply grateful for the Mission and for people like you who support it. “There are people out there who need an organization like this to help them get back on their feet,” he says. “A place like the Mission can make people feel good about themselves.”
