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Joey’s* childhood home was a sad place to be on Christmas. In fact, it was a sad and scary place most days of the year. His mentally ill mother would regularly beat and almost killed him before he was eventually removed from the home for good and put into the foster care system for the remainder of his childhood. A very high percentage of foster kids end up as homeless adults and fall into drugs and alcohol quickly. Joey was no exception. He also tried to build his idea of a perfect family, but even getting married and having two children couldn’t help him overcome his past. In order for him not to repeat his childhood abuse, he walked away from his family. Drinking became Joey’s only escape from the pain of his abusive childhood. Desperate, ashamed and without a reason to live, he admitted that he seriously needed help and couldn’t do it alone. A friend told him about CityTeam Ministries and he took that first, fearful step though the CityTeam door. Determined not to spend another holiday season alone with only his hurt and pain, Joey wanted to make this season count by spending it with his wife and children.
“God has taught me love,” Joey says today. “I’m learning that the past does not matter anymore. I’m learning how to give love to my family which would be their greatest gift this Christmas.”
Through counseling and recovery classes, Joey has learned the importance of family and the importance of a father’s love on his children. His new focus is making new memories with his wife and children this holiday. He is working hard during his time at CityTeam, fine-tuning his computer skills and preparing for the next step in his recovery by finding a good job and working hard for his future. You’ll find him most nights in CityTeam’s kitchen helping serve meals to the homeless. “Thank you to the generous supporters who believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself,” he says. “It’s because of you that God has been able to show me how to love myself and my family. If it weren’t for CityTeam, I don’t know if I would be here today.”
With your support, men like Joey have a chance to turn their lives around and become productive, vital members of our community. Families are being reunited. Children are getting their parents back, not as broken vessels, but as restored leaders. Thank you for your generous support here at year-end.
*We have changed his name to protect his identity.
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