THE ROAD TO RESTORATION | Donald’s Story
Donald had only been in a new town for a few weeks when he realized he was headed toward trouble.
After losing everything in a house fire, becoming disconnected from most of his family, and struggling with addiction and depression, he came to the city seeking a fresh start. Instead, he found himself spending a night in a homeless shelter.
The next morning, he saw the realities of the streets.
“I saw people on fentanyl and on meth on the streets and just the sheer weight of homelessness,” he says. “I knew I would want to disconnect from reality.”
Feeling a sense of urgency, he prayed. “I asked God to make a pathway,” he recalls.
Then he started making phone calls.
A Place to Begin Again
One of those calls led him to CityTeam.
“I walked in and have not looked back since,” he shares. “I felt a peace upon my soul when I walked through the doors of CityTeam.”
At CityTeam, Donald found more than a safe place to stay. He found a caring community, classes, mentorship, and spiritual encouragement. Day by day, Donald began rebuilding his life from the inside out.
“The classes . . . helped me reestablish the routine that I know I needed for successful daily living,” he says.
One class in particular left a lasting impression. Watching a CityTeam instructor faithfully serve others inspired Donald to pursue a new purpose of his own.
“He had a peace and a contentment about him that I longed for,” he explains. “I absolutely saw that and wanted to emulate that.”
From Receiving Help to Giving It
Today, Donald’s life looks very different.
He’s rebuilding relationships with family members, taking classes, and serving others in his church and in the community. Donald now spends much of his time helping people facing the same struggles he once was going through.
Looking back, he is amazed at how far he’s come.
“I see the hope. I see the restoration. I see the change,” he says. “What CityTeam was able to do was . . . place me on an entirely different trajectory. I’m ultimately thankful for where my life is today, as opposed to where I know my life would have been without CityTeam.”
Today, men and women experiencing hunger, homelessness, and addiction can find life-changing help to begin their CityTeam comeback story at.
“Without CityTeam, I don’t know that I would have restored my relationship with God. I probably wouldn’t be employed by a church. I wouldn’t have the tenacity or understand that I can be of service and be impactful.”
