MAY 2022| VOL. 26 NO. 3
Restoring Hope...Transforming Lives ~ Since 1995
I
am Ian, I’ve been a drug addict since about fifteen. I maintained a functional life - honor roll, college degree, full-time work - until my late twenties, when I became disillusioned with life and allowed my addictions to destroy it. I was homeless and drug-addicted for about four years; and while I did take some steps to pick myself up, there is simply a limit to how much success one can have in rebuilding an entire life on one’s own. I found the Camp Mercy program while staying at the Mission. While I had been sober for a short time, maintaining it was a losing battle, and finding the time and energy to move forward was very hard. The tiny house program is the only reason I have found any success. The simple fact of having warmth and shelter 24/7 is huge, and particularly in the winter, allowed me the strength to build my life rather than merely get through the trials of the day (a tricky thing when warmth is your top priority). The most important thing, however, is the community. Everyone I interact with daily is supportive, sober, helpful, and kind. We are in close proximity to the majority of mission-goers, but also secluded from them, which (sadly), is of vital importance when building a strong, sober life in this community. Jackie’s case-management has also been crucial. Setting and maintaining fruitful goals (particularly whilst in the early stages of returning to full-time work) is a trial that is best shouldered with mindful help, and her mindfulness, support, and oversight have been the cornerstone of all my progress. With a task this large, having someone at your back to keep you moving is invaluable. In short - building a happy, healthy life from scratch is a monumental feat. It principally requires food, shelter and safety, within a community of like-minded fellows that provide the encouragement, motivation, and example to illustrate that you can do it, it is worth it, and there is always a way to get there. Camp Mercy, and programs like it, provide these resources to those willing to put in the effort. These types of communities have a proven track-record of enabling broken lives to be rebuilt, and I could not be more grateful to be called an example of that. (Pictured: Jackie Smith, Camp Mercy Coordinator with Ian)
OLYMPIA UNION GOSPEL MISSION | PO BOX 7668 OLYMPIA WA 98507 | 360.709.9725 | OUGM.ORG | FACEBOOK