I’m a better person than I was… I’m on the right track
William grew up in a loving family, with a happy childhood, and this happiness continued into adulthood. However, as the only unmarried person in his family, he took up the role of caretaker when his parents fell ill. Following their deaths, he spiraled into deep depression and self-destructive behavior.
“My mom passed away first, which was already so terrible, but it hit me even harder when my dad died. I just started drinking constantly.”
He began to be plagued by urges to self-harm. “I called Suicide Prevention Hotline,” he remembers, “and the officer who came to check took me to the hospital.”
William was given the guidance he needed to begin counseling and get sober. His future was beginning to look better, but he ran into trouble again with the house his parents had left behind. “They had left it to me when they passed, and it meant so much to me, but it was too expensive to maintain so I had to sell it.”
As the money he had ran out, William soon found himself alone, experiencing homelessness, and without a financial safety net—right as winter was beginning. “When the temperature dropped to 19 below, I walked to the police station and had them call my sister to come get me.”
“It’s given me a blueprint for how I want to live. I want to be the best version of myself that I can be.”
His sister didn’t hesitate to help, and together they made a plan for William’s next step. “As soon as I reached out, she picked me up and brought me to Wheeler Mission.”
In our Foundations program, William began to heal from the deep pain and fear that had haunted him since his parents died. “My biggest challenge before coming here was accepting help. Fear of depending on others has always been a weakness of mine.”
Trusting others also helped William learn to trust God. “My brothers in the program help me learn and grow. They give me insights into the Bible, and my relationship with God is stronger thanks to them.”
William is looking forward to taking his next step—with the lessons he’s learned at Wheeler Mission–Bloomington guiding his way. “I want to be more loving, more friendly, more respectful. I don’t want to lose my temper. Most of all, I’m not afraid to lean on the people who love me as I work toward my future.”
William is grateful for YOU and your incredible generosity. Your prayers and support have helped change his life. “I feel like I’m a better person than I was when I came in. They put me on the right track and are helping me become the man I want to be.”
