Michael’s Story
People used to ask me what I'd change if I could go back in time. That was easy. I'd make sure I was never born. Life was meaningless and hopeless, I thought, and there's nothing you can do about it. It's just a big endurance test that only alcohol could get me through. I…
Larry’s Story
Here at the beginning of a brand new year, I have one simple New Year's wish: I want a new chance at life. I want a new beginning. I want to learn to read and write. Growing up in Chicago, I made it all the way to seventh grade — and I was illiterate.…
Semajia’s Story
Some gifts come and go — but sometimes a gift can change a life.Semajia is an 18-year-old youth who lives with her mother at the Milwaukee Rescue Mission's Joy House — an experience that has given her a second chance at life. That's a gift, she says, and she's determined to make the most…
Jody’s Story
Twenty years ago, Jody received the “education”of a lifetime when he came to the Milwaukee Rescue Mission and learned all about his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. “Back then, I drank a lot and I was in pretty bad shape,” says Jody, now 44. “No one wanted me around, not even my dad. So…
Neal’s Story
Sometimes it seems like I've been struggling all my life. Growing up with certain physical limitations, I've always felt like I had something to prove —to others and myself — that I could do anything I wanted. But no matter how hard I worked or what I accomplished, I never felt it was enough.…
Michelle’s Story
A Family Blessed Through Your Compassion Whenever Michelle talks about her kids, her eyes light up. A married, dedicated mother of three, she's trying her hardest to keep her family together. About a year ago, she came to Joy House after her husband started using drugs. She knew that she couldn't raise her children…
Carl’s Story
A New Creation Carl has spent much of his life in prison. The youngest of nine children, all of his brothers and sisters are either dead or in prison for the rest of their lives. Growing up, he was surrounded by violence. He had an abusive father who put his mother in the hospital.…
Anthony’s Story
Anthony Finds a Family “I just knew I was coming here.” Anthony's landlord had been as patient as he could be. After he had lost his job, Anthony hadn't been able to pay rent for months. Health issues had forced him to depend on others to get to and from work. When his company…
Krystal’s Story
God Doesn't Make Mistakes “He wanted me to go a different direction – His direction.” Krystal was scared. She had just found out that she was pregnant and didn't have a place to stay. With no support from her family or the father of her child, she called a number of shelters and finally…
Tim’s Story
Finding Hope and a Future Tim enjoyed a successful life. He was a firefighter and an EMT for eight years before graduating cum laude with a degree in Criminal Justice and Administration. After that, he landed a job as a probation parole agent for the state. He even had the opportunity to travel to…
