Jim knows he’s ‘in the right place’

While in program, Jim has developed healthy habits including praying, journaling, and reading the Bible.

This is the eighth story in a series chronicling.” this year’s theme of “Rescue This month, we look into Jim’s story, recounting his journey to a new life.

When asked what his future might look like, Jim said he’d like to work for the Mission as a driver.

“I’d love to be part of the organization that has helped me. I’ve still got a long way to go before I’m finished here, but I can see myself continuing here after I graduate.”

After a pause, Jim added, “But that’s all up to God, of course.”

Jim was raised in a happy home in Simi Valley by his single mom.

“She moved with me from Chicago to California when I was 3 so she could be closer to family out here. I was an only child, so I was very close to my mom.”

Jim was devastated when his mom was diagnosed with lymphoma while he was a senior in high school.

“After her initial diagnosis the chemo treatments seemed to work and she was declared cancer free,” said Jim. “But when she started feeling sick again a month later, tests showed that the cancer had spread throughout her body.”

Jim promised her that she would not die at the hospital or in a nursing facility, and he spent the last few months of her life taking care of her at their home.

“I had lots of help from my cousins,” he recalled. “It would have been impossible without them.”

Despite the strain, and with the help of a friendly teacher, Jim was able to finish high school. Soon after graduation, though, his mom passed away and, without a will, their house went into probate.

“It was hard enough losing my mom but now my home was gone too.”

Taking advantage of friends and relatives, Jim was always able to have someplace to stay, which worked for a couple of years while he worked various jobs.

He eventually found work as a driver for a freight company and was sent to a trucking school in Arizona, where he received his Class A license.

About this time Jim got married and had two children, a boy and a girl.

“Things were good for me,” he said. “I had a family, a home, and a great job.”

Then an accident at work caused a traumatic head injury and Jim needed time to heal before returning to work.

“I had the choice of doing rehabilitation at home or in a facility, and unfortunately, I chose to be at home. The strain of everything that happened got to me and I started drinking.”

Though he had never drank before, Jim started using alcohol daily and he began having seizures.

“That, plus the fact that I got a DUI, meant that I lost my license, though the company I worked for did send me to a drug and alcohol rehab facility,” said Jim. “But I just didn’t want that and I continued to drink.”

Jim (third from right) has found encouragement and inspiration from the other men in the program.

Jim ended up living on the streets and continuing to drink. One day he was approached by two police officers.

“It was so strange. One of them said to me, ‘Hey Jim, are you still drinking?’ I had no idea who he was, and I just answered ‘No.’ He gave me his card and told me to call him once I was ready to make a change.”

After a few days thinking it over, and encouraged by a friend from the street, Jim made the call.

“I was directed to the Rescue Mission and my friend came with me. I know God had a hand in all this,” said Jim.

After joining the Life Recovery Program, Jim started gaining some clarity.

“I began to see that I was in the right place. The other residents seemed committed to sobriety and the staff were supportive and caring. But it was when I picked up a Bible and began reading that the light bulb turned on in my head. I had been a believer my whole life, but now it all seemed so full of hope and love.”

Jim has only been at the Mission for a short while, but he feels different already. He has started journaling every day and looks forward to starting the recovery workbook and counseling sessions.

He has also started the slow process of family reconciliation.

“I have seen my wife and son, but it’s too soon with my daughter,” he said. “You can’t rush something so important and forgiveness can take a long time.”

But in the meantime, Jim continues to read, pray, journal, and look forward to the new days ahead.