I spent most of my career in the high-end party business as a lighting designer, working seven days a week, all year long, from early morning to late at night, doing anything and everything that needed to be done. I had to juggle a lot of balls and had to do it fast—and in this business, nothing can ever go wrong.

The stress was insane, and there’s no way I could do it all without help. For me, that help meant drugs. They kept me going for 30 years. I couldn’t function without them. In fact, I didn’t think I could live without them. So I kept going, running so fast, for so long, I never had to look hard at my life. I never had to face what was happening. I never even thought about getting sober—until I turned 60 and it all came tumbling down.

My body finally crashed, and I lost my career and everything else. I was homeless.

I had no choice but to come to Union Rescue Mission. At first, I was severely depressed—but little by little, I got my health and strength back. Then I started looking around, and it seemed like God was everywhere in this building. I thought maybe God actually had a purpose for me. I gave my life to Jesus, and as I connected more with God, all of a sudden a veil was lifted, and I could see that everything was possible. I even found a new sense of calling as a sculptor and painter.