November 2022 Newsletter

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Done With Camping

Zack had trouble finding work and providing for his girlfriend. His drug habit did not help matters. He is the product of a broken home, and the negative influence of a grandfather. Zack was taught drug use as a coping mechanism and way of life. He met his girlfriend through an online social media site by a friend. He said, “The camera doesn’t tell you everything. It doesn’t show you their personality. Its like having a co-worker, but outside of work, they’re not the same.” He moved in with her and her parents. His lack of income did not affect his housing, until her parents divorced and sold the house. Zack and his girlfriend couched surfed for a couple of months, until they wore out their welcome. Then they went camping. She stayed a couple of weeks, but conditions became unbearable. “I felt abandoned, depressed, lost. I needed companionship, somebody there. Its scary to be out there alone and camping. You don’t realize how noisy nighttime is. It was hard to sleep,” Zack recalled. “I would rather smoke a bowl than deal with life.” He missed meals regularly, and lived on food box handouts. He said, “I’ve had canned, stewed tomatoes for breakfast, cold spaghetti sauce for lunch.”

“I didn’t know how to put a resume together.”

Enough was enough, Zack was done with camping. He said, “I didn’t know how to put a resume together. I didn’t know where to start.” While out and about, he met a Mission staff member who directed him here. We helped him with his resume, which was more impressive than expected. Zack said, “I joined the Program because I needed a place to grow, and I have skills that could help here. I needed to work on me for a while, helping me with my mind-set. The Mission is like a misfit family. I appreciate the fact that you get a chance to get somewhere, a step up. I’m thankful for this place to stay, structure. I have rules teaching me how to live, to have a normal lifestyle.”

“Chapel is getting me to think about life, and what I’ve done wrong, and why I need to get back in my faith. I used to preach in a church and was going to go to Bible college. I know that God is always there to help me, and I’m not alone,” Zack stated.

Be a part of completing Zack’s success of being free from camping.

Rehabilitation is taking place. Faith is restored. Value is appreciated. Contributing to a greater good for many people is happening. Zack is on a fast track in our program and is a candidate for an employment position here. He has bills to catch up on, owns that responsibility, and wants to work.

This Thanksgiving, be a part of completing Zack’s success of being free from camping.