He used to live under a bridge,
But now . . .

Once, Ed had been a successful man with a career he loved. However, in the prime of his life, alcoholism and drug addiction destroyed all he had built for himself, leaving him jobless and bordering on drug-induced insanity. Eventually, Ed was hospitalized for his psychological problems.

Released onto the streets with no money, no job, and no place to call home, Ed became one of many homeless people in Santa Rosa. He claimed a spot under the bridge and settled in.

One day, someone stole his sleeping bag. Ed knew of the Mission; he’d been coming here for meals and showers. But he’d never stayed with us.

But that night he lost his “home,” Ed came to the Mission, and because of your support, we were able to welcome him with open arms and give him a bed—a safe bed—for the night.

This was Ed’s turning point. He could see that the Mission had much to offer, and he was ready for a major change. After just a few days, Ed applied and was accepted into the New Life Program.

Over the next year, Ed faced the challenges of breaking his addictive patterns and finding an identity in Christ. The Mission’s supportive staff provided the tools he needed to overcome his addiction and rebuild his life.

As a supporter, you probably know that the Mission offers transitional housing for graduates of the New Life Program. Ed took advantage of these living arrangements and found a job as a chef. He also chose to pursue training in drug and alcohol counseling.

After all the support he received at the Mission, what Ed wanted to do most was give back to the community in the same way. And so Ed has now returned to the Mission as an employee—he’s one of your partners in ministry! In addition to managing our meal program, he also works as an addictions counselor for Sonoma County.

Ed’s vision is for the community to reach out and help the homeless living among them. “We look around this county, we see the homeless. It’s time we start acting—taking the extra steps necessary to help our needy brothers and sisters.”

Ed exemplifies Mark 4:20, where Jesus says, ”Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown.” He is like a fruitful seed in the rich soil of the Mission...and now, he’s impacting other people, bringing them to wholeness in Christ.