A Door to a New Beginning

Living with a Silent Struggle

His mental health struggles made it hard to keep a job and maintain stability. After being prescribed opioids following wisdom tooth extraction, what began as treatment became a seven-year addiction. Eventually, he began buying pills off the street, using them as “a quick fix” instead of his depression medication. The opioids made him feel “energetic,” “talkative,” and “outgoing,” like “the person I wanted to be.” Eventually, the cycle caught up with him. “I was working, and I was terminated from my job for missing work.” Without a job or stable housing, he knew he needed a new direction.

Finding GRM

That direction came through his sister, who had discovered Gospel Rescue Mission after seeing the building and learning about its faith-based programs. When he arrived at GRM, he wanted more than a roof over his head. He came to “find strength with God” and “put myself in the right direction that I needed to go.” He says GRM helped him feel accepted because “you’re around a lot of people that are in the same position you are,” and “you don’t feel… obligated to put on a face for anybody.” For the first time in a long time, he found a community where he could be himself.

A Door to a New Beginning

Since coming to GRM, he says, “I’ve learned patience” and “how to accept people openly… for who they are,” while realizing “there’s still people that care… out in the world.” He has also received a job offer and is preparing to start a new chapter. “I’m very excited for that, and I think it’s going to be… a good journey.” His message to others who are struggling is simple: “Talk to somebody that you trust, and… share your story and tell them what you’re going through.” He wants people to know that “there is help out there for anybody” and that “there is a door that you… can push open” to find the support they need.