My name is Michael. My mom passed away when I was very young and I grew up with a verbally abusive, alcoholic father.

I accepted Jesus Christ at age 19, but I was still living the way I wanted. To suppress some bad childhood memories, I turned to alcohol and dove head first into addiction. I had periods of sobriety, but when the memories came flooding back, I went right back to drinking and drowned them.

When my wife died in 2015, I blamed God and wanted nothing to do with him. No one could convince me otherwise. I didn’t care about anything but my addiction. I got a job working for a friend of mine with the agreement that I would stay sober. I couldn’t hold up my end of the bargain. As I was driving one of his vehicles on the Northway, I was praying the whole time. Then I kept hearing, “Go to Albany Med. Go to Albany Med.” I obeyed.

I stayed there for 24 hours and met a nurse who volunteered at Capital City Rescue Mission’s Free Medical Clinic. She knew I needed a recovery program and more importantly, Jesus Christ. When I was discharged from the hospital, she was there to make sure I made it to CCRM. It was her day off.

My journey back to God began when I entered the Rescue Mission doors. The first few nights were not easy. I was still experiencing withdrawal symptoms and I was very uncertain about my future. With some encouragement from the staff, I joined the work readiness program (Volunteer Extension) for a short time, then the 9-month New Life Program (NLP).

Joining the recovery program brought me back to having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, one that I’d run away from for 28 years. During my stay, I’ve learned that I’m not alone in my struggles. I have a family here that cares for me and men who understand what I’ve been through. And through my pastors, counselors and my brothers in Christ, I am reminded to turn to the Lord in prayer when faced with temptation. It has made a huge difference.

As I’ve progressed through the NLP, I’ve been blessed with being able to help other men who find themselves in the same position that I was in. I can witness to them and relate to them.

I’ve graduated the New Life Program and have been on staff at the Mission wherever they have needed me. I have helped in the kitchen, developed new skills on the construction crew and I just started serving in the Free Medical Clinic. I work at the Welcome Desk answering the phone, registering patients and recording statistics among other tasks.

I am also serving in my church as an usher and am thankful for the accountability and the support that my church family has shown me. If it wasn’t for the Mission and God putting each person perfectly in my path, I honestly believe I would be dead. Instead, I’m a new creation in Christ.

It is such a blessing that the Mission is here to help people in so many different ways.

Thank you for my second chance!