This month I wanted to share Likune's story. From recovering from addictive behaviors, struggling with depression to graduating from our Christian Life Discipleship Program, and becoming a full-time employee in our IT department. Watch Likune's Restoration story.
“When I was three, my mom had to leave the country for various reasons, and I was left there with my brother and my dad, who was an alcoholic. There was a lot of neglect, verbal abuse, and physical beatings. So, I grew up with a lot of confusion, anxiety, and trauma.
We were able to migrate to the United States to rejoin my mom. I didn't speak a word of English, and it was tough. That led to a lot of bullying and difficulties in high school. The resentment and anger I had built up caught up to me, and I started experiencing a lot of anxiety and depression.
I tried to resolve and fix it on my own. I started struggling with addictive behaviors. That led to encounters with dangerous individuals. There were kidnapping attempts, street fights, and a lot of homelessness, despair, and nights spent by dumpsters. I've had an episode where I was very suicidal, and I called a mentor. He referred me to Union Rescue Mission. Union Rescue is known as the last couch on the block, and it really is. This was my last chance. It was either this or death.”
Mental health difficulties are prevalent on our streets. Many people, like Likune, treat their mental health with substances when they actually need prescribed services and counseling.
This is the reason why we partnered with Pepperdine Mental Health Clinic. We have also had to emphasize hiring specialists in mental health issues, such as masters of social work and psychologists. If we're going to address homelessness, we must also tackle mental health and addiction recovery issues. Otherwise, we will never solve homelessness.
Our guests have all sorts of inner wounds that need to be overcome. By taking the program seriously and attending classes faithfully, many guests have been able to achieve sobriety and clear thinking.
Through your help, coupled with our counselors, chaplains and staff we made it through many challenges and needs that seemed impossible to overcome. But we serve a God who does the impossible.
We could not do this life-changing, life-transforming work without your prayers and support.
Thank you.
Andy Bales
President/CEO