Trodavous remembers his 15th birthday. When he looks back on that day, he recalls it was the first time he took drugs, looking for a way to celebrate.

At first, drugs were just a way to have fun. But by the time Trodavous finished high school and began his first college semester, his addiction had grown. It took a toll on his studies, and he was expelled from school. He started working, but lost his job because of his drug use.

Reflecting on that time, Trodavous says, “I got to an all-time low. I couldn’t get my life back on track.” Not only was he unable to keep up with rent and other daily needs, his addiction also began to threaten his lifelong goal — to become a singer. Damaging his lungs for temporary fun wasn’t worth the loss of that dream. When he struggled to quit using on his own, he reached out to MRM for help.

He joined New Journey, our residential addiction recovery program. “The program helped me emotionally and physically,” he says. “The classes helped me unpack the real reasons I turned to using drugs in the first place.”

Through the program, Trodavous’ faith grew as well. “God is truly amazing! He’s always been active in my life, but it’s taken me a long time to see that and appreciate it. He’s opened a lot of doors for me.”

Trodavous continued on into New Journey Transitional Services, a program that continues to help men who’ve graduated from the New Journey program prepare for stable, successful lives in our community after they’ve tackled their addictions. Today, Trodavous is sober, employed and actively looking for an apartment. “I definitely feel I’m still making progress,” he says. “It may not be at the exact pace I want it to be, but you have to be okay in the moment and trust that God is working behind the scenes.”

Trodavous will soon be working toward his dream to enter the music business. Without MRM, he says, that dream would have died. “Now I can start that journey.”

In light of his accomplishments, Trodavous has every reason to be proud. However, he says, “All the glory should go to God because I wouldn’t have made it through this program without Him. And He still looks after me.

We thank God for you and your generosity! Please give again to help more neighbors like Trodavous reach sobriety and stability.