Darren- Rebuilding a dream 

From the outside, everything looked perfect, the American Dream. A home, a wife and two young sons, and a carefully tended garden, but inside something was wrong. Darren loved working on his garden and he loved the idea of a happy home and family, but it was rapidly unraveling. Darren’s marriage was falling apart and his addiction to alcohol and dabbling in meth use was taking its toll, not only on the marriage but his work life.

In four short months Darren lost his marriage, his family, his job and he says, “my dignity.”

Darren’s life came to a crisis point, when deep in depression and frustration, he punched a mirror, and picked up a shard of glass intending to commit suicide. Fortunately, Darren called a crisis line and learned about Union Gospel Mission’s LifeChange addiction recovery program.

Coming to live at Union Gospel Mission among the homeless and with other addicts was a bit of a blow to Darren’s pride.

“Here I was making sack lunches for homeless people, when I used to have a home, family and a good job. I was prideful. I didn’t like it here at first. The first six months were hard, so hard I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. I cried and was filled with regret and I realized the extent of my problem.”

Even though Darren came from a good home and was involved in sports, a painful tragedy marked Darren’s teen years, when his mother died.

“She was a great mom, she came to my games and everything, when she died, it was devastating. I was fifteen years old, and it was after she died that I really got into drinking and smoking pot,” Darren recalls.

Like all LifeChange residents, Darren had to spend time facing the issues underlying his addiction. For Darren it was overcoming feelings of failure and lack of confidence. Over time, Darren began to look at the positive, he discovered that others regarded him as a good teacher, and on LifeChange recreational trips he learned to have fun without alcohol or drugs.

After graduation Darren says he is going back to school to become a real estate appraiser. After four years of struggle and growth, Darren says, “I have confidence now and I’m excited about the future and my direction.”

Of the many positive aspects of completing LifeChange Darren says, “I know about God and Jesus, and I can share that. I’m getting back to the things I love, like reading and fly fishing. I want to grow as a father to my two boys, helping them get a good education, spending time with them and helping them learn from my mistakes, being their friend. I want them to know me the way I am now rather than how I was in the past.”

As for how he feels about graduation Darren is not hesitant to say, “Happiness and joy and most of all gratitude. I’m excited for the graduation ceremony so I can say thank you to so many people-my friends, everyone in LifeChange, the Union Gospel Mission staff and donors, everyone.”

What is LifeChange?

LifeChange is a community. Each member of LifeChange lives and works together at the Mission. The cornerstone of LifeChange is faith in the transforming power of Jesus Christ. LifeChange is a peer-based, each resident helps each other to identify issues and grow in their recovery. LifeChange is self-governed, as residents work together to make decisions as a community. LifeChange is long-term, and goal– oriented. Most residents spend two to four years to complete LifeChange.

DOWNLOAD a copy of the LifeChange application. (260k adobe acrobat .pdf file requires adobe acrobat reader to view. Download a free copy of Adobe Reader by clicking here.)

DOWNLOAD a copy of the LifeChange Handbook. ( 3.9meg adobe acrobat .pdf file requires adobe acrobat reader to view. Download a free copy of Adobe Reader by clicking here.)

DONATE NOW to support men and women in LifeChange.