William has found hope and healing at Wheeler Mission.
William grew up in a loving family of seven kids, where sibling rivalry was the only real “trauma” he faced. But life took unexpected turns as he grew older. A quiet, steady life turned into one of overwhelming grief and addiction after the loss of his parents. Though he had always been independent, William found himself battling depression and alcohol. He started drinking heavily after his mom passed away, and it only worsened after his dad died. He was consumed by the pain and tried to numb it, until it all came to a head one cold night.
“It was a self-preservation thing,” William reflects, remembering the moment he realized he needed help. The temperature had dropped to 19 below zero, and that was when he knew he couldn’t keep going the way he had. He walked to the police station in Mooresville, where they helped him get in touch with his sister, who brought him to the safety of Wheeler Mission.
Arriving at Wheeler, William was unsure of what to expect. He’d just come from the emergency shelter, and it was a stark contrast to the calm, welcoming environment he found in the Foundations program. “I wasn’t used to depending on others,” he admits.
“But here, they helped me realize I couldn’t do it alone. That was a big part of my healing.”
The faith-based support at Wheeler was pivotal in his journey. Coming in with an ambiguous spiritual understanding, William found clarity through the program’s focus on a higher power and the teachings of God. “It gave me a blueprint on how to live,” he says. “I want to be the best version of myself — more loving, more respectful, less angry.”
Through the program, he learned to live with structure, something he had never embraced before. His days at Wheeler are filled with routine — meals at the same time, set wake-up and bedtimes, and time for reflection. “It’s made me more conscious of my actions,” William shares. “I know the negatives will still be there, but now I can stop and think before reacting.”
William’s transformation has also been about relationships. The connections he’s made with others in the program have helped him grow spiritually and personally. “We’re all learning from each other. I’m more attentive to others now. That’s a big change for me.”
Looking ahead, William has big plans. He wants to become self-sufficient, get a job, and live independently. With the support he’s received at Wheeler, he feels ready to face whatever comes next.
“Since coming to the mission, I’ve been well taken care of,” William says. “I’ve had my basic needs met, and more importantly, my spiritual needs. Wheeler has helped me get on the right track.”
William’s journey at Wheeler Mission has only just begun, but he’s already on a path to healing, and he’s ready to share that message with others in need.
Watch William’s story here: Watch
