David’s Success Story

I remember standing on a sidewalk in Las Vegas with only $110 to my name. I’d gambled away almost everything, chasing wins on slot machines that never paid off. That day, I looked up bus prices to places that might take me out of Sin City. I saw that a shuttle to Salt Lake City cost $108. It felt like a sign—divine intervention, I believe now—and I bought the ticket. I knew I wouldn’t have anything left when I arrived, but I also knew I couldn’t stay in Vegas. If I did, I’d keep chasing the next machine and lose everything for good.

I’m originally from Michigan. My mom moved to Vegas about 20 years ago, and I followed her there. I never gambled back home, and it wasn’t until the last few years in Nevada that my gambling addiction took hold. I had been sober from drugs for four years and gained a good job working at a Vegas hotel, but slowly, over time, gambling consumed me. Eventually, I lost my job, my apartment, and ended up broke. The city knows its locals struggle with gambling, and I became one of them. Even when I received my last paycheck, I couldn’t stop and gambled all but that final $110 away. It does not make sense—I just could not stop.

I’d been to Salt Lake City before and remembered it as a beautiful place. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision to leave, and I’m so grateful I did. When I arrived, I had a place in mind where I could go. I had scouted the place out on the internet. However, I couldn’t figure out Salt Lake’s street system, and the only place I could seem to get directions to was the Rescue Mission. I eventually attended an evening chapel service at the Mission and had a place to sleep that night. I didn’t know what to expect, but it was better than sleeping on the sidewalk.

The next morning, they told me about the New Life Program, and I asked if I could join. The Mission’s staff told me to take a little time to think if I was really ready to make a commitment. Then, if I was still interested, we could talk. I’ll admit I was hesitant—a 13-month program sounded like a long time. But deep down, I knew I needed help. I joined the program and found the structure to be exactly what worked for me. Through classes and case management, everything felt less overwhelming—I learned how to create goals and take real steps toward independence.

Spiritually, the program helped me reconnect with my faith. I was raised Lutheran but hadn’t regularly gone to church in years. Bible studies and chapel services engaged me in ways I hadn’t expected. I started looking for a church and found one that suited me well. The spiritual support at the Mission really grounded me—it gave me clarity and strength to stay clean. I’ve been free of drug use for four years, and now I’ve been free of gambling since joining the program. Being out of Vegas and away from the casinos helped, and it felt good to live in a place with no gambling.

As part of the New Life Program, I loved working in the food pantry and the laundry. Giving out food boxes to families and the elderly was especially meaningful. One elderly woman came in and asked for three days’ worth of food, just needing enough until her next Social Security check arrived. I asked her how long it would be until her check arrived, and she said one week. I filled her box with a week’s worth of food, and she was so appreciative.

Other times, when kids would come with their families and need food, I would pick out cereal that I knew they would enjoy. Moments like those reminded me why I was there and helped me realize my life could be about more than just me and gambling. In the laundry, I helped guests with clean towels, bedding, and clothes—managing showers and doing nightly laundry service. It could get hectic, but I found peace in the interactions.

One winter night, when it was about 10 degrees outside, a homeless man came in wearing only a T-shirt. I was able to get him a coat and help him warm up. Many of the homeless people around town recognized me and would say hello, even calling out to me by name: “Hi David!” I hope I can be an encouragement and example to them.

I progressed through the phases of the program and recently reached Phase 3. That means working outside the Mission and saving money. It removed so much stress from my life when I gained work as a server at a sushi restaurant where I genuinely enjoy the job and am well paid. It feels good to be employed again after months without work, and I’ve started thinking seriously about long-term stability—housing, transportation, financial planning.

My immediate family, including my mother who I followed to Vegas, have all passed away, and I don’t have deep roots in Michigan anymore. Salt Lake has become a new kind of home for me. I’ve been speaking with my boss about future opportunities—perhaps training new hires or helping with store openings. The sushi restaurant where I work is a national company with over 80 locations, so there’s room to grow.

My journey hasn’t been easy, but renewing my relationship with God at the Rescue Mission changed my life. The Mission gave me structure, spiritual guidance, community, life skills, and a way forward. I used to live in chaos, gambling everything away to the point of homelessness. Now, I have purpose, direction, a new life with God, and hope. I’m ready to see what’s next, and I can’t thank you enough for supporting the Mission and people like me.