Joseph’s Success Story

For nearly 17 years, I was homeless. Looking back, it’s hard to believe how much of my life slipped away. For a long time I didn’t think things would ever change. I was just trying to survive one day at a time.

It wasn’t always that way. I graduated from high school in Oregon and spent years working hard. I worked at a trailer company and later unloaded trucks. I always knew how to work hard, but I didn’t know how to deal with the pain inside me.

Almost 20 years ago, one of my best friends died. I didn’t handle it well. Instead of grieving, I turned to alcohol. Before long, drinking had taken over my life. Alcohol led to bad decisions, damaged relationships, and eventually legal trouble. I became a convicted felon, and after that it seemed like every door started closing.

Over the years I bounced from place to place. Sometimes friends let me stay with them for a while, but those opportunities eventually ran out. I spent time homeless in Montana and back here in Utah. I tried several times to get my life together, but every setback pushed me deeper into addiction. I started drinking heavily again and occasionally using drugs. I knew I wasn’t living the life I wanted, but I couldn’t see a way out.

Eventually I landed in the Weber County Jail. After completing everything the court required of me, I was released, but I still didn’t have a place to go. I ended up at the homeless shelter, and my ex-wife encouraged me to look into the Ogden Rescue Mission. That conversation changed my life.

When I entered the New Life Program about a year ago, I thought I simply needed a safe place to stay. What I found was so much more than that.

I appreciated that the program treated us like adults. We were given responsibility, accountability, and the freedom to make our own choices. Instead of simply telling us what to do, the staff encouraged us to grow into the people God created us to be.

The Bible classes became one of my favorite parts of the program. Before coming to the Mission, I didn’t know much about Scripture. As I studied God’s Word, I realized that no amount of good works could erase my past. Salvation comes through Jesus Christ and His grace, not anything I could earn. That truth brought me a peace I’d been searching for, for a long time.

Prayer has become part of my daily life now. I find myself thanking God for where He has brought me instead of dwelling on all the mistakes I’ve made. I’m grateful for the progress He’s helping me make.

The Mission also offered life skills classes that taught me practical lessons about relationships, communication, and how to become a better man. Those classes helped me better understand myself and other people.

One of the most rewarding parts of my time at the Mission was serving in the kitchen. Every day I helped prepare and serve breakfast and lunch to guests. Many of the people I served were where I had been not long before. I knew exactly what it felt like to stand on the other side of that serving line. Being able to serve them reminded me that God can use our hardest experiences to help someone else. In many ways, helping others became part of my own healing.

Today I’m working at a book distribution warehouse. We build and package book displays that are shipped to retailers across the country. It’s honest work, and I’m thankful for the opportunity. Because of my felony conviction and inconsistent work history, finding steady employment hasn’t been easy, but this job is giving me a chance to prove myself. If I continue doing well, I’ll be hired on permanently.

The little victories mean a lot to me these days. With my first paycheck I was able to get my driver’s license back. My next goal is to save enough money to move into a place of my own and eventually buy a car.  I’m taking things one step at a time because I’ve learned that lasting change doesn’t happen overnight.

One of the greatest blessings has been rebuilding relationships with my family. I talk with my brother regularly and my sister almost every day. They worried about me for years while I was living on the streets. Today they’re excited to see the changes God is making in my life. Spending time with them and my nieces and nephews means more to me than I can say.

I’ve also found a church home at Second Baptist Church. I enjoy the Bible studies and being around people who genuinely care about one another. For the first time in a long time, I feel like I belong somewhere.

I used to think I enjoyed living on the streets because it was all I knew. Today I know that’s not the life I want anymore. I want to stay sober, keep growing in my faith, continue working hard, and build a stable future. My goals aren’t complicated. I want my own place to live, a reliable car, and a life that honors God.

I’m incredibly thankful for the Ogden Rescue Mission. They gave me hope, taught me about Jesus Christ, and reminded me that my past doesn’t define my future.

To everyone who supports the Mission, thank you. Your generosity changes lives every day. Because of your kindness, people like me are given another chance. I’m grateful for the opportunity you’ve given me to rebuild my life, and I’m excited to see what God has planned for the road ahead.