“Now I have joy and peace. I am restoring relationships.”
Donald grew up with an abusive father. On his 18th birthday, his dad gave him a broken nose and a cracked rib. “He told me, ‘Happy birthday. Welcome to becoming a man,’” Donald says. “My father has a lot to do with why I got into drugs… it was my escape from that pain.”
Fortunately, Donald’s mother was loving and supportive. She was the reason he was able to avoid homelessness – but as his drug addiction progressed, it became clear she could no longer take care of him.
Desperate for help, Donald tried several recovery programs – but each time, he fell back into addiction. “I didn’t want to use drugs, and I didn’t want to be homeless. My biggest challenge was surrendering to God,” he says. “It wasn’t until I came to The Mission at Kern County that I embraced His goodness.” “I was lost… scared. I prayed to God, ‘Please take care of me.’” Shortly after coming to us, Donald joined our Christian Life Training Discipleship Program. Through counseling, classes and Christ-centered encouragement, he healed from his past. He addressed his struggles with anger and depression and began to lay a solid foundation for his future.
Donald now works full-time and plans to go to college to study marine biology. Before joining the Mission, he avoided people. But now, being part of a community makes him really happy. For the first time in years, he feels hopeful and excited about his future.
“Since entering the Mission, my life has changed dramatically. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done for myself,” he says. “Now I have joy and peace. I am restoring relationships with my mom, stepdad and sister.”
Your gifts are bearing fruit in the lives of people like Donald. Now, his heart is full of hope this fall… thanks to your kindness! “I’m thankful to The Mission at Kern County because it changed my life. It made me a brand-new person.”
Read the full Fall 2025 Newsletter here.