Steven’s HS Diploma, MD Driver’s License & Last Supper

Steven stopped by my classroom last week to say hi and I got him to share his story with the class. He arrived at Helping Up Mission for our 12-month residential Spiritual Recovery Program in November 2011 and was desperate to find help to overcome his heroin and cocaine addiction.

Consequently, Steven was willing to take suggestions. Doing what we advised, he also took advantage of every opportunity available here.

There was an inexpensive framed print of DaVinci’s Last Supper on the wall of my classroom that reminded Steven of his grandmother’s house. So, while still a new guy at HUM, one day in class he asked if he could have it.

I didn’t want to set a precedent of guys asking for everything in the room, so I said “I’ll give it to you the day you graduate” — about 10 months later!

Well, he did…and I gave Steven the print…and he was grateful. But then he said, “I want you to keep it and put it back on the wall in the classroom. Hopefully it’ll inspire someone else to graduate, too!”

It’s still there today…with an inscription — Print Donated by Steven B… 2012 HUM  Graduate

But the pic wasn’t all Steven earned that year at HUM. He also received his Maryland high school diploma and Maryland driver’s license!

But not having a great place to go and nor feeling it was the right time to leave, Steven decided to stay on campus in graduate transitional housing and continued working here as a graduate intern.

But a later chance meeting with another guy in recovery got Steven a job offer — almost 3 years ago. Today he lives near work, but stops by HUM regularly.

He likes to visit the picture!

Steven's HS Diploma, MD Driver's License & Last Supper 1

One Day at a Time,

Pastor Gary Byers
Deputy Director