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As a child, John’s was tormented by his father’s temper and bad decisions. His father exposed John to an unhealthy and unsafe home environment. “I started drinking and smoking when I was 16. I figured if my father was doing it, it was OK for me, too.” 

After going to trade school to become a plumber in his twenties, John began working for his father, but their relationship was strained and soon John faced serious difficulties. “Dad passed away, and my mom got sick… I was the only one to take care of her.” 

When his mother died, turned to illicit substances to numb the pain. “That was my downfall. I began doing it more and more every day to keep me up and keep me working.”

During the height of COVID, John lost his house and his job, and he began gambling. “I had no money, my world was crashing down. When my truck got stolen it hit me that I was homeless.”

“I was in a dark place in my life. I was as low as you can get.”

“I’d been praying to God for years to please do something to me, to help me change my lifestyle,” he remembers. God answered John’s prayer by leading him to Coachella Valley Rescue Mission.

 John enrolled in the New Life Program, and his eyes and heart were opened to God’s transforming love. “My biggest challenge was admitting that I couldn’t do it on my own. I had to surrender to God.”

Working with the maintenance and landscaping crews and in the kitchen has inspired John’s dream for life after the Mission. “I want to start a construction business and give other people the chance to start over, like I was given.”

Thank you for loving neighbors like John “as you’ve loved yourself.” Your kindness has reminded him that he is not alone and that a better life is possible! “They showed me the path and the way. I’m so thankful that they saw my humanity here and gave me a second chance at life.”

To read our 2025 Summer issue of A New Dawn, click here.

Help other people like John…

John’s story of hope and healing is inspiring. Help us create a safe environment that communicates value and helps people like John start over!