Here in our 12-month residential Spiritual Recovery Program at Helping Up Mission, men are eligible to go to work or college half-way through the program. Once they do I hardly see them anymore and sometimes even forget they’re still around!
This morning I ran into Brandon who I haven’t seen for a few months. When he was eligible he got a small grant and went to culinary school here in the city.
That was a year ago and Brandon’s been taking as many courses as money has allowed. Funding will get him to his culinary certification sometime this next year. He assured me it’s been all A’s and B’s!
Last July Brandon graduated from our Spiritual Recovery Program. He decided to continue living here in Graduate Transitional Housing on our campus while continuing his training.
When I saw him, Brandon was volunteering in our kitchen. He said every time he does he learns from our staff and it’s also his way of giving back.
Clean from drugs almost 18 months and 12 months into his professional culinary training, Brandon’s now ready to start working in the kitchen of our of local restaurants.
“I love what I’m studying and I really enjoy volunteering here — using what I’ve learned, learning more and giving back. I feel great!” he told me. And standing there in his chef pants, looking all professional, I concurred.
Spiritual recovery’s working pretty good for Brandon these days, and it will keep on working…
…One Day at a Time,
Pastor Gary Byers
Deputy Director