God never left Joe and he’s grateful for that.
Joe was born into a large, loving and deeply Christian family. Though raised in the church, at the age of 14, he started to smoke and hang out with people in the street in an effort to belong. That’s when his life took a turn away from Christ. “But I never was free from God the whole time. I knew right from wrong but somehow was drawn to the wrong part of life,” Joe explains.
Over the decades, Joe continued on this destructive path, which became increasingly dangerous. “I had three fentanyl overdoses. I went astray,” he says, “but God never let go of me.” When Joe woke up in the hospital after the third overdose, he felt God’s presence. “I felt like He saved me that day,” he says.
After this incident, he knew he had to make a change. God had been blessing him, but he feared he might not survive if he continued this way. Although determined to change, Joe felt that he couldn’t do it alone — he no longer had a place to stay, and he knew he needed a stronger will. He turned to The Bowery Mission for help.
“Everybody makes mistakes. It’s about what I do for the rest of my life. It’s about change.” — Joe
Joe found more than just shelter. He found hope.
“I came here with just a bag and the hopes of changing my life,” Joe says. “I knew God led me here. Without the Mission, I’d have nowhere to go. I’d be homeless on a bench.”
At The Bowery Mission, Joe found not just shelter but spiritual revival. He joined our Men’s Residential Program, where chapel attendance and community support helped him reconnect with God. Joe shares, “I learned a lot here about God. About the will of God and how He sees what’s in your heart.”
The Bowery Mission was the strong partner Joe needed to turn his life around. He explains, “When I got here, I used to have negative thoughts and didn’t realize that the thoughts are what lead to the actions. I learned that I needed to change my way of thinking.” He continues, “I learned by being in the Mission that I need to be strong, that when I walk out that door every day, I walk with confidence. I don’t fear anything. I know God is with me.”
Joe is experiencing new life.
Joe graduated from our program just last month. At age 68, he is preparing for a new chapter: earning a Commercial Driver’s License and becoming a truck driver.
Joe sees his life as a testimony, a vessel through which others can witness the power of faith and transformation. For him, sacrifice — letting go of drugs, harmful relationships and worldly desires — was the price for peace and purpose. “I feel great. I feel loved. I feel confident. I feel a part of this world.” Joe beams.
“I feel grateful for what I’ve been through, where I’m at, for being alive.” — Joe
Help others find new life and hope
Joe first came to our Red Doors in need of safe shelter but found so much more. Your support helps give people like Joe the opportunity to land on their feet again and to flourish. Thank you for your compassion that makes this life-changing work possible!