 At CityTeam, Bob found kindness, forgiveness and a surprising new life. |
When Bob walked through the doors of CityTeam for the first time
he says he experienced culture shock. “I thought it would be dirty and full of drugs. It wasn’t. The whole place is so clean and inviting!”
At the age of 48, Bob was unemployed and living from one friend’s couch to another’s. Bob’s substance abuse had ravaged his brain, ruined his memory, and reduced his ability to learn and retain new information. He can’t even remember why he started isolating himself in college and using drugs and alcohol. He can’t yet recall details of his childhood.
With nothing but a plastic bag of belongings and the clothes on his back, this shy and reclusive man hoped to find a long-term recovery program at CityTeam and get a spiritual focus on his life. Bob found that — and more: A reason to smile.
One of the things this sad and broken man observed at CityTeam that first month was a holiday giveaway. As he saw how the people’s faces lit up when they received items that met their needs he could not help but smile himself. But it was the unrelenting kindness he found here that led him to ask for God’s forgiveness and blessing. Knowing that he was loved, no matter what, made him respond in love.
Since then, this former college student has worked hard to recover from substance abuse and improve his mental acuteness through counseling and by working his way through our Learning Center.
Through the educational component of the Recovery program Bob’s lost math and reading abilities as well as his self confidence have been restored. Today he helps others in the program, relating to their frustrations, he does all he can to give them the confidence they need to see each lesson through and finish the course. “CityTeam literally saved my life,” he quietly declares, revealing a shy smile. Now he wants to return the kindness.
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