July 2015 Newsletter

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Two Graduate With Jobs

Tracy and Shane recently graduated from our New Life Program and both are now employed. In their own words, they have come a long way in the last year. Tracy is now working for a heating and air conditioning contractor. Shane is a store clerk here at the Mission.

Anger issues have been a problem for Tracy since childhood. He grew up in an environment of parental fighting, drinking, chaos. There was verbal and physical abuse that brought out anger to others, fighting to survive. It spilled over into every relationship including employment and his own marriage. The problem was continuing into the next generation. Tracy said, “I had to leave; it was just the same thing over and over. I wanted the real me to come out. I was turning out just like my parents. I wanted things to be better for my kids. They shouldn’t have to go through the violence with cops showing up. I did psychology groups, AA, rehabs, but relapsed. I wasn’t going to do that again. I had to change.” Tracy made a connection with a program supervisor here at the Mission. He decided, “To stay long enough to give this place a chance for a change.” He had grown tired of being hungry and dirty. After a few weeks of settling in, he was ready for our program. Most of that time was working in our maintenance department. In our weekly class on obsessive-compulsive thoughts and actions, he said, “I learned to deal with problems the Godly way. I have to look at or judge myself first before responding. There is more to life than waking up and looking for a drink. It’s a growing process that is never going to end. I need to not stereotype people. And I don’t have to be so serious all the time; I can laugh about things during the day. I don’t want to fight anymore.” Tracy has made friends here and a connection with an employer. He said, “I am thankful for you guys and everything you’ve done to better my life, that I couldn’t do myself.”