Curtis’s Success Story

I was born and raised in the Kearns area of Salt Lake. Growing up in the 1990s meant being surrounded by a lot of gang activity, and I got caught up in the situations around me. I struggled with addiction and was arrested many times. At one point I even stole from my own mother. When she finally kicked me out, I became homeless.

I spent about 20 years living on the streets in and around Salt Lake. There were times when I did well. I held down jobs and even finished most of community college. But a lot of the time I struggled and kept falling back into addiction and homelessness.

My latest struggle happened two years ago when I was living downtown and was arrested again. I spent most of the next year in jail. I talked with my attorney about getting into a recovery program, but she could never find a place for me.

Then one day the jail guards came in and told me it was time to go. I walked outside and saw the Rescue Mission van waiting for me. I had been accepted into the New Life Program, and the judge released me into their care.

That moment changed everything.

Looking back, I can see that God was the one who led me to the Mission. He brought me to the perfect place where I could finally find the help I needed. Hearing the story of Jesus at the Mission opened my heart, and I have become a true follower of Christ.

During my time in the New Life Program, I was given a work therapy job in the kitchen. I had worked in kitchens before, but it was good to learn and grow again. I learned how to make meal plans and use the food that had been donated. When I was promoted to kitchen lead, I made sure to put out a salad at every meal and do what I could to provide nutritious food, like fruit bowls, for the homeless men and women who came through our doors.

Along with work therapy, I enjoyed going to Bible studies, chapel services, and the training classes. The Mission encouraged me to find an outside church and attend a recovery class once a week. I started going to Adventure Church and have really enjoyed the teaching and the community there.

When it was time for me to begin the employment phase of the program, I was nervous. It took a while to find a job, but eventually I was hired as a line cook on an interim basis. I worked there for several weeks before my boss pulled me aside. He told me I was not quite fast enough for the busy pace of the restaurant. He was encouraging and paid me well for the time I worked, but it was still a setback. I had to start the job hunt all over again.

I filled out more than 100 applications over the next few months before I finally got an interview at an upscale Brazilian steakhouse. I applied for a prep cook job, but when I arrived the manager told me he had just filled the position. I must have looked disappointed because he paused and said he did have an open dishwashing job if I wanted it.

I agreed right away and have been working there ever since. I make good money and have already been offered the chance to move up to prep cook, but for now I am choosing to stay where I am until I feel more settled.

God has also helped me make better decisions. Recently a friend offered me the chance to move into some low-budget apartments with him and split the rent. In the past I would have jumped at the opportunity, but God showed me that the apartments would not be a good influence.

Instead, I moved into Freedom House, the Rescue Mission’s transitional housing for men who have been homeless for long periods of time. At Freedom House I have accountability and structure. I am learning how to manage my money, pay rent and bills, and use my free time wisely.

As I live at Freedom House, I continue to work and save money so I can eventually move into a place of my own.

My relationship with my mom is also improving. I write to her and she writes back. I hope that with continued sobriety and stability our relationship will keep getting better. I pray for the same with my adult daughter. She even came to visit me recently, which meant a lot.

I have come a long way from the person I used to be. When I was homeless, I was demoralized. I struggled to eat and often could not brush my teeth or take a shower. I felt less than human. But with your support and God’s help, the Rescue Mission has given me my life back.

Thank you for supporting the Mission and creating a place where people like me can find a new life in Christ.