Sam shares how your support gives him hope!

“They gave me a second chance, and I’m so blessed.”

Sam was raised in a loving family, and as an adult he had a good job and a home. Very slowly, alcohol abuse became a problem. “I struggled on and off with drinking too much,” he remembers, “then I lost my job.”

He felt lost and struggled with feelings of hopelessness. “Depression led me to drinking even more, and then I began using drugs.” Even as his life was spiraling downward, Sam was scared to admit that he needed help.

Addiction continued to destroy his life, he couldn’t find another job, and eventually he lost his home as well. “It wasn’t until I experienced homelessness that I finally reached out to a family member for help.”

“I was finally able to tell someone, anyone, that I needed help getting back on my feet.”

Sam’s family pointed him to the Mission, and Sam knew that starting over would be hard work. “My biggest challenge was just to remain sober and clean.” But he also felt a newfound peace. “Having a roof over my head, a shower and a warm bed… I realized I was finally safe.”

In the New Life Program, Sam had the opportunity to practice responsibility and productivity, and learned to work with others as a team. “The chance to practice leadership really impacted me,” he reflects.

Sam also had the chance to find faith and a relationship with God. “When I got here, I didn’t know where I was spiritually. I was confused, but now I have faith, and I believe. I was even baptized.”

Looking toward his future, Sam is excited to graduate, find a job and continue to rebuild his life on his new foundation. “I want to be a productive member of my community, to give back.”

Your gifts are bearing fruit in the lives of people like Sam. Now, his heart is full of hope this fall… thanks to your kindness! “I’m so thankful for how the Mission has helped me start over. They gave me a second chance, and I’m so blessed.”

To read the rest of this issue of Rescue Review, click here.