Services and Programs - Changing Lives

Excited About His Future

James was 22 years old, homeless and fighting to keep himself alive on the streets of Stamford. He had to hustle to find enough food to keep himself going, and when he couldn't bum money off friends, he helped out at a local store where they would pay him with food.

At night, he slept in the back of a truck at the chip factory, just to escape the bitter wind and dangers of the streets.

From time to time, however, James came to Bridgeport Rescue Mission for a meal. We always invited him to stay and let him know we could offer much more than food. But all he cared about was getting high—to ease a chronic depression that was triggered by the death of his mother and that eventually left him homeless.

"I started using drugs to take the pain away," James recalls. "By the end of high school, I was really rebellious."

James had been adopted by an uncle. But when James' addiction and behavior became unbearable, the uncle asked him to leave his home. While James survived by his wits on the street, his uncle encouraged him to come to Bridgeport Rescue Mission to straighten out his life. Finally, not long ago, James was ready to listen and joined our long-term recovery program.

Now, James is working to overcome his addiction and learning to seek God for the strength to face his painful past and build a fulfilling future. He volunteers in our Mobile Kitchen and plans to join the Job Corps to train to be a chef. James has hope and a renewed sense of dignity, thanks to Bridgeport Rescue Mission and friends like you who make all we do possible!

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