Chris’s Story

“You’re giving people second chances”

After loss and addiction, Chris didn’t know if his life had any purpose left. You helped give him a fresh start!

I want something better.

This thought wouldn’t leave Chris alone. The longer he lived in the darkness of depression, addiction and homelessness, the more he realized how unfulfilling this way of life was. After years of disappointment, misguided decisions and grief, he had reached the end of himself.

“I JUST WANTED TO DIE”

Losing his mother—and then his son to a car accident just a year later—was the tipping point that sent Chris looking for relief from his pain in all the wrong places.

“It felt like my world had crumbled,” he says.

When Chris wasn’t staying with a family member, he was on the streets. “I was dealing with a lot of depression and drug addiction. When you’re on the streets, you worry about where you’re going to rest your head at night,” says Chris.

Chris spent each day just trying to make it through. His comfort was drugs.

“I just wanted to die,” he says. “The next thing I did was cry out to God, asking Him to take the taste of drugs out of me and to help me help myself. I threw away all the drugs I had on me.”

With nothing to lose, Chris came to the Mission seeking a second chance. “It’s been nothing but a blessing,” he says.

Because you give, Chris found everything he needed to rebuild—safe shelter, anger management classes, Christ-centered counseling and a steadfast community. “You’re giving people second chances,” he says.

Being sober and off the streets today means Chris can be truly present for his three grandchildren.

“I want to be a better man for myself, but also for my grandchildren because their father’s not here anymore,” he says. “They look up to me. It means I have to step up to the plate.”

Through daily walking with Christ and taking steps toward self-sufficiency, Chris is well on his way to becoming the man and grandfather he aspires to be. He wants to one day be able to help people like himself who are struggling, whether it’s with alcohol and drugs or homelessness

Chris’ journey shows that no matter the circumstances that led someone into homelessness, there’s always a way out through God’s mercy and your generosity

“I would probably be dead right now if it wasn’t for my desire to change and God leading me,” he says. “Thank you for giving your time, money and effort into these programs. I’ve met some people who have marvelous stories because of the programs at Central Union Mission.”