Steven’s hope story: “The Bowery Mission changes lives”

A Navy veteran is grateful for neighbors like you who helped him find peace and purpose.

Steven has so much to be grateful for. But his story began in a very different place. Steven was born into a military family in New Jersey. Growing up in a challenging home, he struggled with his frustrations and ended up in juvenile detention at just 14. He eventually earned his GED, joined the Navy, and excelled — until a devastating injury overseas left him in a coma for two and a half months. 

He was prescribed medication to help manage his physical pain, but the wounds that lingered the longest were those no one could see. Many of the prescriptions Steven received to manage his PTSD were narcotics. When those prescriptions were no longer enough, he turned to street drugs. “Once you start doing things that you swore you’d never do, it just opens up the door to do things that you swore you would never do,” he says. “Not only did I turn to street drugs, I started to sell them.”

Hearing Scripture 

One day, Steven went into a homeless shelter in New Jersey to sell drugs. Before entering the cafeteria, he was required to sit in the chapel with the other guests. When he heard a minister speak, something stirred in him. He returned a few days later and heard another minister speak. It was there that Steven was led to God. They invited Steven to join the shelter’s recovery program. He threw away the drugs he had with him and said, “Yes.” After sleeping there a few days, Steven found a Bible at the foot of his bed — he eagerly read it from cover to cover. 

A life transformed 

That shelter was Goodwill Rescue Mission, which later joined forces with The Bowery Mission. Steven eventually came to The Bowery Mission and entered our Men’s Residential Program. His faith grew as he worked hard and progressed through the program. He was an active participant in every class, became a leader amongst his peers, and developed deep lifelong relationships. His friendly demeanor made him the perfect person to greet new arrivals at the Mission’s front desk. 

After graduating, Steven used his veterans benefits to secure housing and began a new career as a director of operations. And he didn’t forget his fellow clients at the Mission — he helped several of them find jobs at his company.

“The Bowery Mission is special. It really is a place of refuge, of change, of growth, of healing. The Mission will always have a very special place in my heart.” — Steven

Thankful this year 

Today, Steven is married and raising a family. In addition to his work, he serves at his church alongside his children and leads a group of men who meet regularly to encourage one other. He also participates in an outreach ministry, sharing God’s Word with people throughout the community. 

Steven has much to be grateful for — a wife and family, a good job, lasting sobriety, and the opportunity to minister to others. As he reflects on his experience, he believes his time at the Mission — and the love and support he received here — changed the course of his life.

“The Mission changes the trajectory of a person’s life, and it’s generational. Because of what The Bowery Mission did in my life, it’s changed my kids’ lives. It’s changed my parents’ lives.” — Steven