“This place saved my life.”

Herb was blessed with a stable, supportive upbringing in Colorado Springs. “Growing up, I had no exposure to want,” he says. “I had every opportunity to do good throughout my life.”

Things changed when Herb was 15. His grandpa, who was “the rock of the family,” died, and the family “spread to the wind.”

“I tried filling this void with relationships, as well as drugs and alcohol,” he remembers. “I got resentful when things fell apart. God didn’t abandon me, but I abandoned the idea of God.”

Eventually, Herb’s addiction to painkillers – which stemmed from a back injury – spiraled out of control, and he lost everything. “I was living in a tent with my dog, and I lost all hope,” he says. “I ended up coming to Kansas City because I was helping this guy move stuff from Colorado Springs to Virginia, and in the middle of it, he and I got into this big altercation.”

Dropped off in an unfamiliar city, Herb ended up at Shelter KC, where your support gave him the opportunity to enroll in our C-COR program. Since then, Herb has received Christ and been baptized. “I feel free for the first time in my life,” he says.

“I always thought something was missing and could never find what it was. Now I know.”

In addition to establishing a relationship with the Lord, Herb has also reconnected with family. “I get to talk with my youngest daughter every Wednesday and tell her I love her. And my parents have forgiven me. They said what I did before wasn’t who I truly am. They’ve told me I’m a new creation.”

Once his recovery is complete, Herb wants to “give back” by entering our internship program, Discipleship Through Service. “I want to help people in the same way this place is helping me.”

“This place is saving people’s lives. Before, there was no hope. I was just waiting to die. Now, I have hope. There’s a light. There’s a future. Being around other people who are trying to move forward has been beautiful.”

Thank you for making a difference in Herb’s life through your prayers and support!

Donate to help us provide love and care to people like Herb!