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Darius Tabrizi was born and raised in Israel. “My mother’s family originated from Israel and my father’s family is from Iran,” says Darius. “I have a twin brother and younger sister.”

“My father came to the US to start a better life for us. We were not able to come right away because we weren’t able to leave during the war. In 1991, the Gulf War ended and my mother brought us here. I was 11 years old. I didn’t speak English when I came here – only Hebrew and Arabic. Baltimore was very different than our small town facing the Mediterranean. I was beat up within my first two weeks here.

“At the age of 14, I was introduced to marijuana and alcohol by boys in the neighborhood. My mind had always been racing and wondering what people thought of me. When I drank, it numbed that and I felt accepted.

“I had gotten into trouble for fighting in Israel and that continued at my public school in Baltimore. I was expelled from two middle schools and three different high schools for fighting. I got my GED through the Youth Corps program.

“I joined the Navy in part to escape legal issues I was facing due to serious drug charges. After finishing boot camp, I was sent to Japan. For two years – I was a great sailor. I received several commendations and awards. My alcohol use was limited to social drinking.

“The War on Terror was under way and I started experiencing racial discrimination. I tried to blend in and said I was whatever ethnicity people thought I was. That really disturbed me and I started drinking heavily. I met a guy in Tokyo who introduced me to drugs – cocaine, crystal meth and ecstasy.   For the next year and a half, I was still in the Navy but began selling drugs on the side. When I had the best looking car on base and an apartment in town, it started to raise questions.

“Unknown to me, NCIS was doing an investigation on me for six months. Just months before I was done with my tour, I was arrested and thrown in a Japanese prison. NCIS pulled me out and took me to a marine corps brig in Japan. I was there for three months – after two months, I was put into solitary confinement for fighting with a corrections officer. My JAG lawyer met with me and I was given an other than honorable discharge and was released.

“I arrived back in Baltimore broken in every way. I was 23 years old and homeless. I came to Helping Up Mission as an overnight guest. For several years I was in a cycle of running the streets hard core and then coming to a homeless shelter for a week or so to regain my strength before going back out again.

“In 2010, I went to American Rescue Workers In South Baltimore. I was tired of my lifestyle and gave my life to Christ. Life started turning around for me. I got a job at McDonalds and started running with Back on My Feet. I joined an apprenticeship program and became a really good electrician and was hired by Hirsch Electric. For the first time ever, I had my own apartment. I started my own business and was going to night classes. I celebrate 4 years clean and sober.

“My life was going great and I had so much distance from my old life that I began to forget. I put everything ahead of my recovery – I stopped going to church and meetings. I got into a motorcycle accident and starting taking pain pills. It was a quick progression from pain pills to alcohol to street drugs. Within a year, I was homeless and had lost my business, girlfriend, truck, home and my savings.

“My father died of cancer in November of 2014. It was one of the worst years of my life. I spent Thanksgiving in a rental car out of gas off of the side of the road. I was estranged from my family and all alone.

“I ran into an old friend, Barry, who works at Helping Up Mission and he told me I needed to come back. I came to the Mission in December 2014 but left to deal with legal issues. I stayed sober for a few months but eventually relapsed.

“I came back to Helping Up Mission in the spring. This time I’m doing things differently. I’m not cocky like I was before and I’m willing to do whatever it takes.

“My mom sells mushrooms at the Sunday farmer’s market under the Jones Falls Expressway. She reached out to me to find out if HUM could use any vegetables for the market. Each week, I go to the farmer’s market to help my mom and then collect the leftover produce from all the vendors to bring to HUM.

“I’ve always loved my mom dearly. It feels great to be able to help her at the farmer’s market. There was a time where she thought I wouldn’t make it. Now she doesn’t have to worry about me.

“Helping Up Mission helped me reestablish my relationship with God, reaffirm my values and learn how to handle situations and personalities that conflict with my character. I lean more on God now. I am 100% serious about and committed to my recovery this time.

“Helping Up Mission is the best. I have been to every homeless shelter, recovery house and transitional house in Baltimore. HUM is the most genuine, caring and influential program I have found. They genuinely care about you and you can feel it. It’s not about filling a bed – it’s about your future.”

Bryan Modecki was born in Baltimore.  “I had a rough childhood,” says Bryan.  “My father was never in the picture and my mother struggled with drugs and alcohol.  She was abusive but I know she was doing the best she could and I still love her.

“My mom let my brother and I do pretty much whatever we wanted.  I started using drugs at age 14 and it wasn’t long after that I started selling drugs as well.  I went to Dundalk High School.  I made it through the 11th grade.  At that point, I realized I was making more money selling drugs than my teachers were making so I decided to drop out of high school.

“I served my first jail time when I was 18 years old and I got my high school diploma while I was behind bars.

“When I was 24, I was sentenced to 10 years in prison for a possession with intent to distribute charge.  I did eight years of that sentence and was released when I was 32 years old.

“I started using and selling drugs as soon as I got out.  My heroin habit got bad very quickly and that affected my sales.  Things went downhill from there.  I was staying here and there with relatives and anyone that would have me.  I was weary of trying to come up with money to get high and places to stay.

“I started searching for God.  I started reading the Bible and other religious materials looking for God.  I sat at a bus stop and prayed and asked God to help me.

“I went to Johns Hopkins Bayview in search of help.  They admitted me and I stayed there for a week and a half.  When I was discharged, they recommended that I come to Helping Up Mission.

“On the cab ride to the Mission, I started to put myself into a survival mindset like I would on my way to jail.  When I arrived at the Mission, I was completely surprised!  I had no idea anything like this existed around here.  I grew to really like the place and I could see miracles happening around me.

“Unfortunately, I started wanting to hang out with girls and old friends.  I had some money in my pocket and thought I didn’t need HUM any more.  I went out with a girl and got high.  I came back to the Mission 2 days later to pack up my stuff and leave.

“After I left the Mission, I was back on the streets – selling and using.  Staying at HUM had been part of my probation.  Six months after I left the Mission, I went to see my probation officer.  She said if I didn’t get back to the Mission, I was going to jail.

“I came back to HUM in July 2013.  The first time I was here, I wasn’t focused.  I didn’t really work on the things that I needed to deal with.  I didn’t stay away from the things I should.  This time, I actually gave myself a chance to do something different.  I knew my triggers and avoided them.

“For the first 6 months, I only left the Mission to go to meetings.  I stayed focused on my recovery.

“I started thinking about what to do with my life.  I didn’t want to do manual labor for the rest of my life.  I realized my best option was to get training and I decided to go to culinary school.  I received grant money and a loan and enrolled in Stratford University in Baltimore in January 2014.

“I have done very well in culinary school.  In September, I learned that I was the recipient of a scholarship that was awarded based on an essay I had written on the topic of how culinary school had changed my career.

“I started running with the Helping Up Mission chapter of the Back on My Feet running team.  I run a few miles every day and participate in every race that I can.  My goal is to run a marathon.

“I was asked to speak at the annual Back on My Feet Bash in November. The Bash was held at the Marriott.  After I left the stage, two Marriott executives approached me and asked me if I would like to interview for a position as a chef.  I was in shock — I had never held a job before.  All my life, all I’ve ever known is selling drugs.

“As I was sitting there, taking it all in, another man approached me.  In my speech, I had referenced being self-conscious about my poor teeth and how I feel they are a hindrance to my career.  This man offered to set me up with a dentist and pay for my dental care.

“That following Friday, I got information about my scholarship. I interviewed for, and got, the job at Marriott. I received the information about the dentist and got an e-mail telling me that I had made the honor roll!  What a day!  I can’t believe how everything is coming together for me.  I now know that God is guiding me and He has a plan for me.

“I am reconnecting with my family. I enjoy visiting my mom and cooking for her. My brother is in prison and I send him money when I can. I visit his kids and go to their sporting events.

“I am thankful for Helping Up Mission and call it my home.  They basically gave me the chance to save my life.  They are the reason I have the chance to do all of this!”