Success Stories
Bradley
I trashed my life with cocaine. I lost my job. I had a stroke. I lost my apartment and my mind. I was living homeless at a local mission. Someone had mentioned to me that you could make phone calls here (Dégagé Ministries) for cheap and so I came to investigate that opportunity and then found out that they helped with IDs, gave a place to have a private shower, get a hygiene bag on Thursdays, have legal counsel for free and have someone read and write for me because my stroke had left me disabled for reading and comprehension.
I came for two 20 minute sessions a week with a social work intern for reading mail and prioritizing my planner for weekly calendar appointments. I was allowed chaperoned phone calls to make sure the information I received at the other end of the phone call was stored in a file with my name on it so it could be checked on by other interns and workers. I was doing this while trying to go back to having my own living quarters.
I think of the Christ like agape that the employees, staff, and interns shed on my path. The genuine interest in my personhood that I experienced still brings me to tears.
My life had become an empty, lonely world to the point of not being able to see my own children because of drugs. The family atmosphere and the genuine interest in my personhood restored social skills, a desire to live and an increased passion to live the Christian life again. It was also filled with wholesome adult moments thinking about life and living and how we could all do it better in cooperation… and still have the workers and interns at Dégagé Ministries help all the needs of the people that entered day by day over the 2 months I used the services of the this place called Dégagé Ministries.
Darcey
Darcey, a 38-year-old former crack addict and prostitute came to the Open Door in crisis on August 8, 2004. She was homeless, jobless and penniless. She has been drug free for over a year now and is employed full time with the U.S. postal service. Darcey recently bought a new car and doesn't hesitate to provide transportation for other women who share her difficulties both past and present. She says, "I am so grateful for the staff at the Open Door. They helped me get my life back. I still come every week for individual counseling and to talk with the women about recovery. I feel so good about myself.”
Cynthia
Prostitution and drug use became a way of life for this 50-year-old, a recovering addict. "I was so tired of walking the street. I was too tired to get high anymore. I'd come in the drop-in center at two or three in the morning and I'd get so much encouragement from Shellie. That encouragement helped me to get clean and stay clean. I've been clean for nine solid months now,” she exclaims. I have my own apartment and I'm a student at Grand Rapids Community College. If I can do it, anybody can," she proclaims.
Angel
The first day Angel Garcia walked into Degage Ministries, the volunteers and staff fell in love with the twinkle in his eye and the strength he displayed. His is a story of triumph - but it is not something that came quickly or easily. Over the last year, Angel has overcome many odds. He has tackled numerous challenges and proven that diligence is rewarding.
We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. Hebrews 6:11-12
Since Angel's first visit, Degage Ministries has had the honor of helping him obtain the medical services he needs, a driver's license, an apartment, referrals for furniture, and a United States resident card. Although Angel credits others for his success, his achievements are a direct result of his faithfulness.
Angel's story:
"I am from Cuba. I have lived in the United States for 27 years. I am a fisherman. I have called myself a fisherman for the last 16 years, but I am too old to be a fisherman now. The cold weather was difficult for me so I moved to Grand Rapids to start again - to begin a new life. I have been here for just over a year.
When I came to Grand Rapids I lived in the mission for maybe 2 months. After that, I got an apartment in the Herkimer Hotel and I live there still today. I started working in an AARP Program and found out that I could go to Michigan Works. I saw the opportunity to go to truck driving school. My English at that moment was not too good. I needed to get my GED before I could go to truck driving school. I spent about 4 months getting my GED. After that, I went to truck driving school - Michigan CDL. I graduated on January 12th. I am a professional truck driver.
Because I am poor, I didn't have a car to go to school. I woke up every day at 4:00 a.m. to take the bus to school. I went to class from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. I walked to the bus stop 1 mile each way. I am doing everything! I got my professional certificate!
I want to especially thank Degage Ministries for helping me every time I come here. I want to especially thank the AARP too. These two organizations gave me all the help I needed to put my life on track."
Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2