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Life Stories
Javon
I grew up in South Bend, Indiana in a single–parent household with a brother and sister. My father died for before I was born, so I tried my best to understand what it meant to be a man while growing up in the poor neighborhood of South Bend. After dropping out of high school, I took to a life in the streets which consisted of joining a gang and selling drugs. This road sent my life into a downward spiral until I ultimately decided to relocate to California, looking for a new beginning.
I continued to struggle after relocating and found myself homeless, unemployed, and looking for a deeper understanding and relationship with God. I began living in CityTeam International’s men’s shelter and
enrolled in the Back–2–Life program.
While I was a client in the Back–2–Life program, I found encouragement and strength through the relationships I gained with the managers and support staff at CityTeam International. Participating in the services CityTeam International provided gave me the opportunity to be a part of something greater than myself. It was during this time that I attained my G.E.D. and found full–time employment. The greatest change that happened in my life while at CityTeam International was the development of my relationship with God. My situation provided me with the opportunity to do some soul–searching and make a more genuine commitment to God and to His plans for my life.
As I completed the Back–2–Life Program, I realized that I wanted to do similar work in my career. For this reason, I am going to college beginning in the Fall and will be pursuing a degree that will enable me to reach out to others who may find themselves in the same predicament. I have joined the Community Outreach Team at CityTeam International and currently spend 20 hours per week being mentored by the Community Outreach Manager as a part of CityTeam International’s volunteer staff. As one who once struggled in a poor neighborhood, I now
have the opportunity to take life, hope, and change into the inner-city.
Where my dreams had disappeared, I now have a renewed vision. Where I felt lost, I now am found.
Jorge
My life on the streets was terrible. I was doing the same things over and over, acting like a robot and not feeling anything for anyone. It came across my mind that if I didn’t change my lifestyle that one day I would be killed on these same streets. The next morning I starting making phone calls, looking for help. I felt God pushing me each step of the way. That same day, I was able to get into a detox facility where I would be safe from the streets, drugs and many other criminal activities. While there, I got a lot of sleep and rest. On my third day, I called CityTeam International. Thank God!
I knew about CityTeam International’s recovery program because I had previously tried to recover from drugs but I gave up on myself. This time it was going to be different. At CityTeam International, I surrendered my whole life over to the care of God. That means everything I was supposed to do at CityTeam International was really for God.
In doing this, God gave me peace of mind and He slowly started to transform my life. I was starting to be responsible. I was even given the task of making sure the whole facility was clean and in the best shape it could be. I really took this responsibility seriously because it showed me that I had a skill to develop and that I would be able to use it in the future.
It took a lot of willingness and hard work to be where I am today. All of this is new and it’s hard, but one thing is true—with God everything is possible. I am so grateful to be here today because I have learned during the last ten months that life is nothing to play with and something to consider very seriously. I know now that I have a purpose in life. I am now willing to live my life for God. I am very appreciative for my second chance.
