Newsletters

When Douglas was just 11 years old, he was shocked by the sudden death of a beloved neighbor. “It’s a trauma that still affects my life,” he recalls. And it was only the beginning.

As a teenager, he lost his uncle and his father as well, leaving emotional scars that never fully healed. “After so many losses, I just felt like the sadness and sorrow would never go away.”

Douglas began drinking heavily in an attempt to cope with the deep sadness he felt. “I thought I could kill the pain with alcohol. I was just trying to escape.”

His addiction led to pancreatitis and as his life spiraled downward, he found himself without a home and losing all hope. “I was sleeping outside in the kind of cold that you can feel all the way to your bones.” That was when God led Douglas to your Evansville Rescue Mission.

“The Evansville Rescue Mission gave me a home and the safety I needed.”

Walking through the door, Douglas felt the warmth and love of a new home. “Before I got here, I was so lost. But they welcomed me, gave me a bunk, and fed me. I felt like I’d been found.” 

In our P.A.C.E.S. (Purpose, Accountability, Christ, Education, Service) Program, Douglas began to heal from the pain that haunted him for years. He found the support of a faith-based community that welcomed him, and he received medical treatment for his pancreatitis. “I finally have the medication I need to be healthy.” 

He also found renewed purpose and joy, working in housekeeping and settling into the routines of life there. Planning for his future after your Evansville Rescue Mission, Douglas hopes to pursue a new career in cybersecurity.

This Easter, Douglas is experiencing God’s gift of new life! Thank you for empowering him to follow Christ’s calling in his life. “I was wandering aimless and without hope for so long, and then I came here. I’m no longer alone, and I am so grateful for this place.” To read the full newsletter, click here.