Alex was just a young teen when he was first introduced to drugs. With a home life marked by gang involvement, emotional pain, drug use, and broken parent relationships, he easily fell in with the gangs in his neighborhood. They became his escape from the turmoil at home.

By 18, Alex was behind bars, beginning a cycle of incarceration. He struggled with addiction and was in and out of jail several times.

A few years later, his daughter was born. But even with such a significant moment in his life, he still struggled to change – he needed help. The cycle continued.

Alex eventually found God in county jail; it was his first step to changing his life. But couldn’t find a community of faith to encourage and support him, so he fell back into his old ways. Still, deep down, he knew he wanted something different.

Before coming to the Rescue Mission, Alex hit rock bottom and was homeless for a year. He was facing immense stress — where would he shower? Where would he sleep?

“It was rough. I’d get money to get a room. I wouldn’t feel safe. I’d sleep on my mom’s porch sometimes — she wouldn’t let me in the house because I was on drugs. I remember going around the neighborhood, knocking on doors and asking for blankets.”

One day, Alex met a local pastor named Jeff at a coffee shop, who gave Alex his phone number and reminded him that he was loved.

A week later, Alex decided to call Jeff, who helped him get a safe room to stay in. He went to detox, and soon after came to the Rescue Mission.

Now, thanks to friends like you who support our programs, Alex’s past doesn’t define his future anymore. 

“Before the Rescue Mission, I had no hope,” he says. “I thought my life was just the way it was. Period. Now, I have hope. My past doesn’t matter. What matters is what’s happening today.”

Today, Alex is sober, getting his record expunged, and is pursuing higher education. He’s involved with his church, regularly visiting with the elderly, and is rebuilding relationships with his daughter and mother, who is now 23 years sober.

Alex is just one powerful example of how your generosity changes lives.