Dean’s been smoking marijuana regularly since age 12. Supplemented with alcohol, that’s how he learned to function into adulthood.
Never finishing high school, he started working in restaurants while still a teenager. A bright guy, Dean excelled and continued to get more responsibility and better jobs at nicer establishments in the city. But his addiction would not allow him to feel right or think properly and he began sinking into deep depression.
Unfortunately, it was only a matter of time before Dean wound up in prison. Upon release, he got a good new job and now custody of his 4-year old son, too. But nothing had really changed inside Dean and his addiction eventually took him down again. He lost his job and home.
For the first time he could remember he said an honest pray to God — please help me and my son. The next day, walking down Batimore Street, he saw Helping Up Mission. He stepped inside and hasn’t left yet — 3 months later.
His son is safe with Dean’s mother and Dean’s working on himself — which includes his high school diploma. Things are changing, but the biggest change is on the inside. This Jesus stuff really does works!
One Life at a Time,
Pastor Gary Byers
Deputy Director