"Our objective is that every client will be a responsible person, living in a supportive community (church, spouse and friends), with a job and permanent housing."

Lisa's Story

Lisa says she would have been in the same boat (homeless and using drugs) had it not been for the six-month addiction treatment program at the New Hope Family Shelter. Read more >> 

 

Success Story (continued)

“Rick continues to accomplish one step at a time in achieving these goals..."

Rick shared his story two years ago. Here is a general outline of his life:
· Rick grew up with parents who were motorcyclists and drug abusers.
· His parents divorced when he was four and he and his sister were raised by his alcoholic and abusive mother. His mom died when he was nine.

· His father then raised him, but used to use and sell drugs in front of Rick
· By age 14, Rick had 9 felonies for auto theft (he was bored and did it for
money). At fifteen, he was caught at school with a gun and went to jail.
· His step-mom took him in from jail and helped him to graduate high school.
· He then applied to college to study firefighting while working three jobs
to stay out of trouble. At 18, his step-mom kicked him out because his
stipend for rent ran out.

· Rick began to live in his car and depend on different women for housing.
· He met a couple and lived with them for a while. The man introduced
Rick to drugs. Rick eventually got the girl pregnant and he married her. He was only 20 years old at this point! They had one more child.
· His drug use caused him to lose his jobs, his marriage and his children.
· Later, Rick got a ticket for drunk driving and had to go to jail to pay it off.
· When released from jail, Rick was told to go to another shelter and was dropped off downtown.
· He was lost and stumbled upon the Mission.

· The Mission houseman (security) told him about the New Life (Addiction Treatment) Program and Rick stayed the night. He joined the program in September of 2006.
· In February of 2007 Rick said his goals were to stay at the Mission for after-care, finish school, pursue a career in firefighting and get his kids back in his life for good.

Today, Rick continues to accomplish one step at a time in achieving these goals he set out for himself two years ago.
· He graduated with honors at Delta College
· He will continue to complete transfer classes to attend CSU Stanislaus or CSU Sacramento
· He volunteers as an Auxillary Firefighter
· He works full-time at Sears Auto
· His children visit him every other weekend                                

Thank you for your gifts that will continue to help others like Rick! To learn more Rick story on video, please click here. To start or increase your giving to the Gospel Center Rescue Mission, please click here.

Listen here to success stories from individuals from around the world that have been dramatized on the longest-running live radio program "Unshackled".