A Journey of Transformation: Stephen's Story
I came to the HOPE house January 19, 2024. I had been homeless and on the streets for almost 3 years. I had been addicted to methamphetamine and fentanyl and I overdosed 10 times and nearly lost my life each time. I had nothing except what I was wearing and some items in a backpack. I was completely broken and lost and didn't know where to turn. So I filled out the application to enter The Salvation Army HOPE house program thinking I could change my life for the better if I could get and stay clean and sober. I first went to a detox program through the ARC treatment Center, then entered an inpatient treatment program for 65 days.
After being released from treatment I was accepted into the HOPE house living program and I got a job at the Goodwill part time. I kept going to my treatment classes and also attended AA and NA meetings. A couple of months later I was hired full time and with the accountability from the HOPE house I have been able to stay clean and sober for over 400 days now.
I must say, with the support of the case workers and the family atmosphere I have regained a relationship with my daughter, who had wanted nothing to do with me 2 years ago. We now talk on the phone everyday and go out to dinner regularly. In the past 10 months of living at the HOPE house my entire life has turned around. I have over $2,000 dollars in the savings account that the HOPE house made me start, and I also have $4,000 in my own savings account.
I have a very good job and I am training to become a forklift operator and will soon get a raise at work. I have even started looking for my own apartment and hope soon I will find the right safe place to move on. But I know I could never have done any of this without the help of The Salvation Army. I am forever grateful and have the utmost respect for everyone involved here at HOPE house.
Thank you so much for everything,
Stephen