Radically Changed

Before he came to House of Refuge Sunnyslope, Z’s life felt dark and heavy. He describes it as bleak, a season filled with isolation, depression, and difficult decisions. He had fallen into alcohol and marijuana use, trying to cope with the weight of everything around him. When he moved back in with family, hoping for stability, it only made things worse. The environment was filled with the same struggles he was trying to escape, and instead of healing, the situation deepened his sense of hopelessness.

Z remembers feeling completely alone, even while surrounded by others. Relationships were strained, trust was broken, and tension eventually escalated into a moment of fear and instability that forced him to leave. With nowhere to go, he found himself sleeping on a couch, searching desperately for a way forward. That is when he found House of Refuge Sunnyslope.

When Z first arrived, he had very little. Just a scooter, a backpack, and a few clothes. He admits he probably looked rough and guarded, unsure of what to expect. Even during the intake process, emotions were high. He had already begun trying to change, having stopped drinking and using before coming, but he still carried the weight of everything he had been through.

And yet, he was welcomed.

At first, adjusting was not easy. Structure and rules felt foreign to him. He describes it as “kind of going back to high school,” something he was not used to. He kept his guard up, spoke very little, and stayed to himself. Trust did not come quickly.

But slowly, something began to shift.

Over time, Z started opening up, little by little. He grew curious about Christianity, not from pressure, but from a genuine desire to understand. He began studying, asking questions, and exploring the life of Jesus in his own way. Eventually, he made a quiet but powerful decision to “open my heart to Him.”

He says being at House of Refuge Sunnyslope was “a radical change” for him.

Not overnight, and not without challenges. There were ups and downs. Finding and keeping work was difficult at times due to scheduling conflicts. There were moments of stress and uncertainty. But even in those moments, something was different. Instead of spiraling, he found himself saying, “I know God wants me to do good,” and began to trust that things would come together.

Now, Z has found a job he genuinely loves, working with animals. He says, “I actually appreciated and love it,” and for the first time in a long time, he feels connected. He enjoys his coworkers, builds relationships, and finds joy in the simple, steady rhythm of caring for the dogs each day.

At the same time, meaningful relationships have formed within the program. One mentor, in particular, has become a steady presence in his life. Wednesday nights after Bible study became something he looked forward to each week. Sitting on the porch talking for hours, he found guidance, consistency, and something he had been missing. He describes that relationship as “kind of like a father figure in a lot of ways.”

For the first time, Z is not just surviving. He is growing.

Now, as he prepares to leave, his future looks different than anything he has known before. He is stepping into independent living, moving into a shared home where he will have more flexibility to continue building his work life. He has saved money, created stability, and is making wise, intentional decisions.

He is still learning.

Still exploring his faith.

Still taking steps forward.

But Z is no longer the same man who arrived with a backpack and uncertainty.

He has been radically changed.

And while his journey is not finished, it is now marked by hope, purpose, and the quiet confidence that his life is moving in a new direction.