Sometimes Hope Comes as a Hot, Home-Cooked Meal

Darnell came to us for help —Hungry and helpless, having hit the lowest point of his difficult life. His struggles started from day one.

Prematurely born to a drug-addicted mother, Darnell was only 5 when she gave him away to strangers who cared for him for several years. His other siblings were allowed to stay with his mother. Darnell felt abandoned.

Self-esteem issues made him a target of bullies. The school recommended giving Darnell drugs to deal with his Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). Taking prescription medications made Darnell feel like he was in a “zombie-like state.” It was hard to think clearly or learn. By high school, Darnell gave up on counseling and going to class altogether.

When the only father he had ever known had died, Darnell began experiencing attacks of depression and anxiety. He left home and ended up living on the streets, eating from garbage cans and sleeping wherever he could.

Darnell’s anger issues also continued to escalate. Street violence, years of drug use and poor eating affected his mental and physical condition. Darnell began having seizures and hallucinations. He ended up in the hospital – it was a wake-up call for him to get serious help!

With his mother’s urging, Darnell chose to come to Cityteam, where he is now doing well in our program and looking forward to graduation. Darnell is learning to make better choices, as well as how to deal with life’s problems. “I feel totally free from my past with the love of God and Cityteam.”

Thanks to caring partners like you, hurting neighbors, like Darnell, can find a hot meal, a warm shower, long-term recovery from addiction and a safe place to sleep at Cityteam.

But most important of all, your partnership today will give struggling neighbors a chance to know the real meaning of hope. Your gift opens the door to a whole new life for someone in desperate need.

And it starts with the meal you provide!