October 2023 Newsletter

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To Rebuild My Foundation

Fentanyl caused the death of James’ 21-year-old daughter. It’s a very strong opioid, that is illegally put into pills made to look like pharmaceutical medication.

Her fatal consequence caused James such great emotional stress, that he voluntarily checked himself into a facility that specializes in depression. Upon his release, he entered the Mission for further healing and reestablishing himself. Just the few days of going to the funeral service caused him to lose his job and place to live. He needed to stabilize with his antidepressant medication and prepare to re-enter the workforce.

James was still living in the fallout of a chaotic childhood. He said, “My mom was a raging alcoholic that caused little supervision or authority.” At 14-years-old, he began using drugs supplied by friend’s older brothers. He said, “I didn’t want to be the odd man out that didn’t partake in using substances.” At 14 he became a father, at 15 he was paying child support, at 16 he was in adolescent substance abuse treatment, at 17 he was on medication for depression.

As an adult, James has developed a substantial resume. At the Mission, he quickly joined our program, understanding the benefit of productive work. In our stores and warehouse, his abilities became obvious. He is now our most recent employee. On staff, he started as our Bicycle Repairman, then moved to Store Clerk. He is renting a room at the Mission on our Transitional Housing Program, that provides greater independence yet maintains accountability, a later curfew, and attending chapel services.

James said, “Mission chapel has had a strong, positive effect. There are other people that have experienced my pain and suffering, and we can gather together in shared faith in something bigger than ourselves under one God. This is an environment to succeed in my spiritual journey. The Mission provided me a home to rebuild my foundation.”