Mike grew up in a rough neighborhood in the D.C. area. As a young man, he remembers hanging out with the wrong crowd, constantly finding himself in trouble, and beginning a life of an addiction to alcohol. “I started drinking...and that drinking lasted almost 40 years of my life.”
For years Mike faced legal troubles as he was in and out of jail. “I couldn't keep housing, freedom, or relationships...to make a long story short, drinking made me lose everything.”
Recently, Mike was released after serving more jail time and struggling to find shelter in this season of COVID. With no options in Norfolk or VA Beach, the Lord led Mike to PRM through a Google search.
“Walking into PRM, I thought it was just going to be a shelter. I soon realized I wasn't placed here by coincidence.”
Mike heard about the Overcomers Program from another guest, decided to fill out an application, but said, “I still wanted to go out, enjoy my freedom, and make as much money as possible. So, I began my job search as well.”
A few days later Mike stopped in to Alan's office to let him know he had a job interview and would not make it to morning chapel. “That morning Alan informed me that I could not join the Overcomers Program and have a job. I would have to choose one or the other. My first reaction was I wanted the job, and so I left for my interview.”
“Half-way to the bus stop, a Scripture came to mind. 'You cannot serve both God and money' (Matthew 6:24). The message was loud and clear to me that I was really supposed to pursue the Overcomers Program. I turned around, went back into Alan's office to share what just happened, and that day I went to work in the PRM Thrift Store. Since that day I have had no regrets.”
Mike is thankful that PRM is providing him a place to stay sober, give him structure, build a relationship with God, and attend a local church.
“Had I not found PRM I would have gone back to my destructive habits. Bouncing from place to place. Unstable. And not giving much thought to the things of God.”
It's exciting to witness Mike coming out of a near 40-year wilderness wandering plagued with alcohol and bad influences now experiencing a new beginning. After the Overcomers Program Mike says, “I just want a simple life. To find a job and have my own place. I hope to be a member of a church and glorify God with my life. I don't want my freedom to be taken from me anymore.”
“The men that come to PRM are all individuals with different circumstances that brought them here. A lot of guys just need a second chance. Your donations continue to provide that opportunity.”
