A few months into the program, Aaron says he has “such a better life.”

He’s closer than ever with his 10-year-old son

While Aaron says he grew up in a Christian family, he endured his father’s alcoholism, his parents’ divorce, and some abuse. He “became part of the streets at a young age,” he said, around 14. Next, Aaron said, came methamphetamines.

For 20 years, the drug had a hold on Aaron. He had a son at 23, but the baby’s mother left. “She took off on us, so it was just me and him,” said Aaron, who was still using. After Aaron’s son’s mother returned and an altercation ensued, Child Protective Services got involved. Aaron fought for his son, stopped using, got his case dismissed, and got full custody.

But Aaron was still involved in criminal activity. “I didn’t want to bring him into that lifestyle, so I had my mom care for him for a while. I was running the streets. I was using again and went to prison. After battling a life sentence, Aaron took a plea deal, served time, and recently was released.

“I was at the point of rock bottom. I asked God to walk through the darkness with me and to give me a new heart and mind.”

Aaron called the Mission for help, but there was no answer. The following day, Aaron was considering cutting his ankle monitor off and “going to try to get money in a bad way.”

“Prison had changed me—it was a violent chapter in my life. I started getting affiliated with prison gangs and I became heartless. I was devastated that I had been making these choices—these evil decisions—when I could be being a good father and changing my life.”

But as he was leaving, Tim from the Mission called. “I think I would’ve decided to go back to the criminal stuff if I hadn’t gotten that call and I hadn’t had a place to go to get help. I was saved after that prayer though. God gave me a new direction. He spoke to me, and He stopped my steps.”

After 15 years of off-and-on homelessness and criminal activity, Aaron is finding his footing. “God called me in perfect time,” he said. “This place is a complete miracle. My whole heart has changed. It’s making me feel like I’m fulfilling my purpose, changing, becoming a real man and a real father.

“If I’m going to do this, I’m going to do it with a whole heart. I’ve never done that before. I knew I had the capacity to change.”

Aaron now talks to his 10-year-old son every day. “We’ve always been close, but now we are closer—mind, body, heart, it’s just genuine.

“I’m no longer under the influence and I have no desire to use. I’ve been completely delivered from that. It’s a miracle. I’m so proud of myself and my family is so proud of me.”

Aaron says one of the keys to his success is the “way the Mission let’s me recover. Pastor John explains stuff, gives me tools to use in my life, to be successful. There’s so much wisdom. This is such a better life.

“I’ve come to this place that’s given me the opportunity to repent from past decisions,” he said. “I’m not dwelling on them though. I’ve come to peace. When I first got here, it was a complete horror story. I prayed and prayed for the blessing of a free mind. And here I am.”