For 33 years I suffered from drug addiction and its consequences. Eventually, my daughter intervened and took me to an in-house recovery center. After 90 days I was released to a sober living home where I became acquainted with a caring bishop who referred me to the Deseret Industries training program.

From the moment I walked through the doors of the DI, I was welcomed. When I began the program, I was very scared to interact with people. I had never worked at a job sober. I soon learned, however, that I could be around my co-workers sober. With a job coach to guide me, I learned to shut up and show up. I learned how to be employable. I was enrolled in classes to help me obtain my dream for the future. I was rewarded for my hard work when I was made lead over my team. My experience at DI has taught me that I am somebody and that whatever I did in the past can be forgiven and not judged. I was healed.

My dream has come true. I have accepted a job at the recovery center that helped me with my addiction. Now I can help others on the path to hope and healing the same way that I was helped.