August 2021 Newsletter

We are pleased to share the stories of our 2021 Life Change graduates. Each have completed the year long intensive residential relapse prevention program.

“It is incredible to see these people who come in here, so lost, so broken and so beat up — to see them walk out of here 18 months later with their head held high, with a job, with money in the bank,” says Life Change Director Denver Harris with visible emotion. “It’s incredible to watch God’s work in these people. Incredible.”

John Kelly
John Kelly came to the Eugene Mission hoping to break his addiction to alcohol and methamphetamine. Just days before starting the program, John was hospitalized with a serious overdose. John had failed multiple rehabilitation programs and was in and out of hospitals and detox centers when he applied to the Life Change Program. “I wasn’t sure I had another ‘go’ left,” shares John. “I thought I would die under a bush. God obviously had other plans.” As John prepares to graduate from the Life Change Program, he is working full-time at Pacific Metal Fabrication and saving for his future, which includes marrying his fiancé and “best friend.” John’s favorite part of the Life Change Program has been the relationships he has forged in a sober community that supports him and holds him accountable. Now over two years sober, John shares, “I am learning to live life on life’s terms. I have seen this program through to completion and learned that God has never failed me, and He never will. For me, that is simply miraculous.”

Daniel Norenberg
Daniel Norenberg was offered his first beer from his father when he was just four years old. He began using methamphetamine and other drugs as a teenager and spent much of his young adult life homeless. “My earliest childhood memories are filled with violence,” says Daniel. “My dad constantly hit my sister and me. I tried to end my life four times before coming to the Life Change Program.” Daniel shares that time in the program has helped him address early childhood trauma and sexual abuse that drove him to use alcohol and drugs. Daniel is now one year sober. “The Life Change staff have given me their time and they have helped equip me to face my past and move beyond it,” says Daniel. “I’m surrounded by people who are sober for the first time in my life.” We are thrilled to share that Daniel has completed his CDL certification and, with a year of sobriety and accountability, has been offered a full-time job driving for Walsh Trucking.

Alex Muvua
Alex Muvua came to the Eugene Mission at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a season of political unrest and a global turmoil, Alex spiraled into alcoholism and paranoia that left him feeling suicidal and hopeless. Alex came into the Life Change Program shaken to his very core. “Alcohol is baffling and cunning,” says Alex. “It swelled over me, and I walked away from everything I cared about.” Alex is now one year clean and sober and has returned to his love of running and playing soccer. “This has been the best year for me,” says Alex, smiling. Alex is now working full-time at NW Auto Detailers alongside fellow graduate David Helder. “I am not alone in this struggle,” says Alex. “I am walking with God, and I’ve felt a sense of love I cannot put into words. I have happiness again. I thought everything was lost.”

David Helder
David Helder decided to give the Life Change Program a try after bumping into Program Director Denver Harris on the hiking trails of Skinner’s Butte early one morning. Denver was out for a stroll and David was folding up the small camping space he had just spent another night in while living outdoors. “It was kind of a miracle,” shares Denver, smiling. David had struggled with drug addiction and periods of sobriety and relapse that left him feeling hopeless. Currently 16 months sober in the Life Change Program, David has worked hard on his coping patterns that lead to addiction and codependent tendencies. David has taken up running and joined the Oregon Track Club along with his Life Change mentor. David has also returned to his love of music and plays the piano at his church and Celebrate Recovery meetings. Currently, David is working full-time at NW Auto Detailers and saving money for his future with a plan to inspire others trapped in addiction to seek a path off the streets. “All things are possible with God,” shares David, smiling.

Kyle Endicott
Kyle Endicott came to the Eugene Mission to break his addiction to methamphetamine. Kyle is now 19 months sober. As Kyle contemplated entering the Life Change Program, he learned he would be a father and that his daughter would be born into the foster care system, a system Kyle himself experienced as a child. Prayers were answered when a loving couple agreed to care for baby Leah while Kyle worked to get his life on track with faith and sobriety. Leah’s foster parents are “adopted grandparents” and Kyle now has custody of Leah. Kyle is working full-time at Monaco Tool Company and is looking to thrive in a long-term career. “I am over a year sober and tobacco-free,” shares Kyle. “Thank you, Lord, for believing in me and loving me in times I couldn’t trust or love myself.” Kyle is surrounded by a supportive network including his Life Change mentors and Leah’s foster parents as he transitions into his new life as a sober father.

Jackson Conrad
Jackson Conrad came to the Life Change Program as an alcoholic who had relapsed after completing four separate rehabilitation programs. “A 30-day program just wasn’t long enough to set me up to live sober,” shares Jackson. “It’s a tough deal. I knew I would end up in prison if I didn’t get help. I already had two DUIIs.” Jackson is 16 months clean and is working full time at Monaco Tool and saving for his future. When not at work, Jackson is active in Life Change service projects and attending sobriety support groups. “I have been in this amazing God-orchestrated program, and I have been released from my addiction through my faith in Jesus Christ,” says Jackson. “I have learned so much in this program!”

Preston Harris
Preston Harris joined the Life Change Program after years of struggling with alcoholism, homelessness, periods of sobriety and what seemed like an inevitable relapse. “I was so depressed and so bitter,” recounts Preston in his written testimony. “My father moved away when I was young, and I was looking for a man figure in my life. The people I chose were smoking and drinking, so I did too. I didn’t realize how angry I was for feeling left.” Preston shares that the Life Change Program helped him address his patterns of thinking and his anger and disappointment that drove him to drink and use drugs. Now 2 years sober, Preston is living in Phoenix, Arizona close to family he has reconciled with. He works full-time as a security guard and is active in his church. “God makes a way out of no way,” shares Preston, smiling. “I was holding a lot of things in.”

Anthony Hardy
Anthony Hardy started drinking during his teenage years and found his experimentation had become an everyday habit that he couldn’t stop. After completing a program in Portland, Anthony maintained a period of sobriety and then started drinking again. After losing his job and alienating family and friends, Anthony lived in his car where he ultimately received a DUII and legal trouble. Anthony came to the Eugene Mission in early 2020 to enroll in the Life Change Program and address his patterns of thinking that resulted in addiction relapse. Anthony shares that the Life Change Program provided the time and structure he needed to re-organize his thoughts, meet benchmarks and take his future seriously. In August, he will be 20 months sober. Anthony gave his life to Christ during his time in the Life Change Program and is now working full-time at a Detox Center and living in an Oxford House sober community.