Journey Back to Hope!
When Arthur walks through the doors of Wheeler Mission today, it’s not as a stranger. He’s walked through them many times before—but this time, something is different.
Arthur’s story is one of profound change rooted in faith, pain, and ultimately, redemption. Raised in Evanston, Illinois, Arthur describes his early life as family-oriented and relatively comfortable. “I grew up with my great-grandmother, my aunt, my cousins, my mother, father, my grandmother, grandfather,” he recalls. “It was family-oriented so life was different… I got to do things that probably normal people had not got to do.” But after moving to Indianapolis in 1965 at just seven years old, he began to see the world differently.
"I'm standing still, letting God lead."
Arthur’s exposure to drugs started early—he witnessed his father’s involvement in selling drugs, which later influenced his own choices. Though he graduated from high school and maintained steady work, he also began selling drugs himself. It wasn’t until a painful divorce that Arthur turned to drug use personally, finding himself unmoored in a way he never anticipated. “I never asked God to lead me through some of these things,” he admits. “I did things on my own.”
After the passing of both his parents—his two best friends—Arthur spiraled into homelessness. “I lost both my best friends, my parents… So I became homeless,” he shares. Over the years, homelessness became a cycle, a pattern he found hard to break. But Arthur’s turning point came when he realized he couldn’t do it his way anymore. “My biggest challenge before coming to Wheeler Mission was me,” he said simply.
Arthur came back to Wheeler with the understanding that he had to “sit still” and let God lead. He had opportunities—housing options, even a potential move into sober living—but felt a spiritual nudge directing him back to Wheeler. “God said, ‘I need for you to be able to sit still.’”
This time, Arthur embraced the Wheeler as a safe haven and leaned into the programs and community. Therapy, Bible studies, and a faith-based environment helped him not only confront his patterns but also understand them. “Telling my story allowed me to see me,” he says. “It allowed me to say, ‘Arthur, you’re a runner. You wanna do things your way.’ But the results are always the same: I keep coming back.”
At Wheeler, Arthur found more than just shelter. He found clarity. He began mentoring others—like a 19-year-old young man he’s guiding through programs—and began helping in the kitchen. These relationships have given him purpose.
Arthur now sees a future beyond survival. He dreams of returning to Evanston, connecting with his roots, and starting a foundation to honor his heritage—his great-grandparents were both doctors, and his great-grandfather was Native American. “It’s something I think he wants me to do,” Arthur reflects.
Looking back, Arthur sees Wheeler Mission as more than a place to stay. “I am thankful to the Mission because I finally realized the purpose of the Mission and the purpose of God in my life,” he says. He hopes others will support the Mission, too—not just for what it provides, but for what it can awaken in someone willing to change.
“I see my life making a major change,” Arthur says with confidence. And this time, he’s not running.
Watch Arthur’s story here: Watch Video
