At 26 Michael Has Already Battled Addiction and Homelessness

I was born in Macon and raised in Taylor County. I moved to Florida to live with my mother at age ten and started attending school there. After graduating high school I moved in with my grandparents and started working with my grandpa laying hardwood and tile. That’s where I discovered drugs. I started smoking Marijuana at age 19 and continued smoking it till I got arrested at age 22. Then I was forced to move back to Macon to live with my other grandparents.

When I got back here I found a job and started working as a security guard at CGTC. I worked there about two years and the worst came—I got fired and that’s when I became homeless. I lived under the I-75 bridge and I rode my bike downtown for a couple of days and that’s where I heard about the Macon Rescue Mission. So I rode my bike back here and asked if I could spend the night and they gave me three days. After the third day was up I waited in the front to talk to Mr. Randy Jackson. After talking to him he let me in the program.

My life has changed a lot since I’ve been here at the Rescue Mission. I spend most of my free time in the chapel because I really like to read the Bible. My favorite verse is Psalm 1:3, “That person [whose delight is in the law of the LORD] is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.”

Since I’ve been here I have gotten to know some really good guys here and I can call all them my friends. I look forward to having my own place after I go through aftercare at River Edge. The Mission has given me the tools to live a normal life. The staff is wonderful here and I thank the Mission for giving me a chance.