When she was young, difficulties at home led Destiny to turn to food for comfort. Binge eating became an addiction that plagued her for years. 

As she entered adulthood, finding a job proved challenging, if not impossible. Employers tended to overlook Destiny due to her disabilities, which were yet undiagnosed and left her confined to a wheelchair. “I had no confidence, and just felt worthless,” she says.

She tried to stay afloat on her own but wound up evicted from her apartment. Just as she was trying to deal with the dire situation of homelessness, several family members and friends passed away. At that point, anxiety and depression from grief took over. “I remember the moment I realized I was broken and desperately needed help.”

The day she walked into the CAC, things began to change for Destiny.

“My first night here,” she shares, “I was so grateful to finally have a warm and safe place to lay my head.”

 Destiny was admitted into our Emergency Shelter, where her basic needs were assessed. She stayed there until she was truly ready to take the next step. 

 “At the Center, I’ve learned real coping skills – tools for dealing with life’s situations in a healthy manner. Nobody had ever taught me these things before.”

Destiny was raised in a different faith, so Christianity was a new concept when she first arrived. Through Bible study, Destiny has gained an understanding of God’s Word. “My faith has grown significantly since I got here.”

A few months after arriving at the CAC, Destiny was able to walk again, leaving her wheelchair behind. With new job skills under her belt through our work therapy program, Destiny is stronger and more confident. She plans to enroll in college and get back to her artwork. 

"Thanks to the teachers and staff here, I feel restored. This program really works!”

“When I got divorced a few years ago, I didn’t know what to do next. My friends were giving me bad advice and inviting me to go to bars with them. But I have two kids and wanted to make the best decisions for them.

At that time, I was “couch surfing.” Even though I had my own business as a barber, I didn’t have a place to call home. One day, while cutting the hair of a regular client, I shared a bit about the struggles I was going through. He happens to be a pastor and he invited me to come to his church--and I started going. One Sunday he announced there was a need for volunteers at the Christian Aid Center.

I had Mondays off, so I thought I could provide haircuts for the guests there. I contacted the volunteer coordinator and we set up a time to meet and take a tour. As we walked through the building where their little barbershop is, I suddenly realized that I had been here before. I think I had blocked that time out of my memory bank as a child.

When I was about eight years old, my mother made the desperate decision to leave my father. They had a toxic relationship and her doctor warned her that the stress was going to kill her. I don’t know how she found out about this place, but one night she brought me and my little sister here. We stayed for two days while she figured out what we would do next. She ended up going back to school and later owning her own barbershop.

Now, more than 30 years later, I look forward to volunteering in the very room where we had stayed. And I get to hang out with these guys who are so genuine and sincere when they thank me for cutting their hair. It’s so gratifying to see the transformation that takes place from when they first get here, to when they cross the finish line of completing the program and moving on to a better life. As a volunteer, I love that I get to be a part of helping to provide that change.”

Nearly 100 people ate at our Thanksgiving tables this year thanks to your generous donations of funds and homemade pies. Thank you so much for your generous support of our mission--we couldn't do what we do without YOU!

Did you know we honor the guests who complete our life-recovery program with a graduation ceremony? Since it takes about 18 months to finish the program, we think they deserve a collective celebration!

For many of these men and women, this could be their first graduation from anywhere, so we work hard to make it an unforgettable occasion. For example, our graduates wear traditional caps and gowns. And, according to the feedback we receive, the most meaningful part of the event is the powerful sharing of personal transformation stories.