Stories of Transformation

Solomon's Story

"I can listen to the birds sing now. I can hear the beauty of life. I can see how beautiful life is."
- Solomon, Men’s Life Recovery Program Graduate

After years of struggling with addiction, Solomon realized that he could no longer live that life. He realized that lifestyle will kill you.  In this episode of Shelter Stories, you will hear about Solomon’s journey to this realization, about his journey to sobriety. He says that Light of Life taught him to live life a better way and that if he knew then what he knows now, he would have never used.

Solomon came to the Mission in hopes of changing his life and his current circumstances.  After a year of perseverance and dedication in our program, Solomon successfully graduated his job training program provided by the Energy Innovation Center, in partnership with UPMC.  He is now trained in Environmental Services and is working at UPMC Mercy Hospital.

Solomon advanced through all stages of our Life Recovery Program and signed a lease for his own apartment and moved out of our transitional housing after completing our Men’s Recovery Program.

This is life transformation.  This is hope restored.

 

shelter stories

Every story is unique. Every story deserves to be heard.

Michelle's Story

"I really didn't know how to love myself before. Today I can look in the mirror and love the person that I see."

Solomon's Story

A"I can listen to the birds sing now. I can hear the beauty of life. I can see how beautiful life is."

Donnie's Story

"There aren’t many places where you can come from active addiction or straight from a park bench and walk through the front doors and immediately feel loved... ”

Jeremy's Story

"This program really does provide the foundation for a lot of people like me, to really make a difference in their life and put their life together."

Sharlene's Story

"No third grade little girl plans to be a prostitute. She doesn’t plan to be homeless. She’s not planning to hold a sign on the highways that she’ll work for food."

Jamal's Story

"In some of the trials and tribulations of our guests that come through the shelter, I see me. My hope is to be able to be hope"

Dean's Story

"We are able to minister to the people who are in this situation, homeless, hungry, using, and we’re able to tell them how we got out of it."

Pastor Bill's Story

"It’s more than just an addiction. There’s family things, there’s background, there’s wounds, there’s hurts and those are then things that are so deep-rooted ..."

Paradise's Story

"Light of Life taught me how to put God first, be a mother to my children, and take care of me. They taught me to find me again and it gave me a purpose to live."