Edward Duncan

TMM Alumnus

Edward’s roots began in Compton, CA. His life took a tumultuous turn when his beloved grandfather passed away in 2009, plunging him into the depths of addiction. At 19 years old, he found himself couch surfing, battling the harsh realities of homelessness.

Despite the daunting challenges, Edward sought help. He immersed himself in various programs designed to address both his addiction and homelessness. However, setbacks dotted his path. After his release from prison in 2012, he faced a turning point. Realizing he needed a lifeline, he reached out to his mother for support. She told him about The Midnight Mission (TMM), a beacon of hope for those seeking recovery.

The seeds of transformation were sown during Edward’s first encounter with TMM, but they struggled to take root. It wasn’t until 2023 that he returned, armed with newfound determination. The words of recovery resonated deeply within him. Engaging with a 12-step group and heeding the advice of a sponsor, he embarked on a transformative journey that would redefine his life.

Fueled by a burning desire to effect change, Edward aspires to pursue further education. He envisions a career that empowers the homeless community with a message of resilience and hope. Edward understands that embracing guidance is pivotal in breaking the cycle of homelessness and addiction, and he is eager to share this insight with others.

A new chapter of life began for Edward when he left TMM. For the first time, Edward held the lease to his own place, a sanctuary to plant new roots. Grateful for this newfound direction, he extended heartfelt appreciation to TMM for illuminating his path to self-sufficiency.

Mario Ocampo, TMM Alumnus

Physically and Spiritually Fit

Mario Ocampo spent 18 years of his life in prison. He heard about The Midnight Mission’s recovery program from a fellow inmate. Since Mario wanted a different life for himself, he asked to be released to The Midnight Mission. His life was changed. He learned how to live a life free from any substances. One of Mario’s favorite quotes is, “You can’t stay sober unless you make a better life for yourself.” He has done exactly that.

Mario had always loved the movie industry. While he was at TMM, he took scriptwriting classes. He enjoyed the creativity of writing and continues to write scripts today. Mario decided to go to school and graduated from West LA College. He became a grip in the movie industry.

Mario was able to reconnect with his family and establish loving relationships with them. He spent the first half of his life in and out of jail and could not be there for his family. He has mended his relationships with his family, spends time with them, and helps whenever he is needed.

Mario listened to the people who told him he could accomplish anything. He began running with the Skid Row Running Club while he was at The Midnight Mission. Mario had never had a mentor, and he found that in Skid Row Running Club founder Judge Craig Mitchell. Since joining the running club, Mario has run in three international marathons. He has become a triathlete, completing the world-famous Alcatraz Triathlon.

Mario knows gratitude is an action word. He shows how thankful he is for his life and for being sober by giving back. Mario returns to The Midnight Mission to help other program participants in recovery. Today, he is a positive mentor to other men seeking a different way of life.

Abel Soto returned to his home state of California after getting a divorce in Arizona. He coped with the pain of the breakup with alcohol. After five weeks on the streets, Abel came to TMM to get back on his feet. Since being at TMM, he has had opportunities for employment with his guard card and forklift license. Abel is extremely grateful The Midnight Mission gave him the hope he needed for a new beginning.

Shawn O’Neal was born in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and raised in Sacramento, CA. He moved to Florida to live with his uncle in 2010 until his uncle kicked him out. He was homeless in Florida until his mom gave him a bus ticket back to California. He stopped in Los Angeles on his way back to Sacramento and stayed.

Shawn has always been interested in art culture and wanted to live in a city environment. He moved to several different places throughout LA and ended up living in Skid Row. He was addicted to hard drugs and became comfortable in the drug scene.

Shawn realized he needed a change. When he asked about resources, he heard about The Midnight Mission. He was intimidated by the outside of TMM in Skid, but his mind changed when he saw how clean and structured TMM was on the inside. It took Shawn three times at TMM to get used to being in an environment where people genuinely cared and wanted to help him. When he accepted the help given, he was on the road to recovery.

In addition to learning how to stay sober, Shawn acquired many life skills through the Healthy Living Program. He learned how to budget money and pay his bills on time. TMM gave Shawn the ability to change his life, and he advocates for others to come to TMM for a change in their lives.

After graduating from TMM, Shawn found his own apartment. He enjoys having a space of his own to relax after a long day’s work. He aspires to go to a barber college and then to a city college with an open mind for educational goals. Shawn is grateful TMM has opened the world for him to pursue many options with sober confidence.

Mason grew up in a broken home in Southern California. He got in trouble in school and tried his first geographical cure. He moved overseas for a new beginning, but trouble traveled with Mason. He was incarcerated, then deported back to the United States.

Mason had enough of the rebellious lifestyle and decided to stop doing drugs. He didn’t do any work to discover why he had turned to drugs in the first place. Mason just forged ahead, working in the oil fields for the next eight years. He went back overseas, and it was then he started using drugs again.

He came back to America and quickly lost everything. He returned to selling drugs until he was arrested and incarcerated in LA County Jail. Mason came to TMM from jail on probation but did not take the program seriously. Then, the Covid Pandemic hit, and he thought he would die, so he left the program.

Mason received a probation violation, and he went to prison. He met men serving sentences of over 40 years, and he saw what his future would be if he did not change his ways.

When Mason was released from prison, he returned to TMM. TMM staff remembered him and welcomed him with open arms. Mason was immediately enrolled in the Recovery Program, and TMM got him back on his feet quickly.

Today, Mason is serious about his recovery; he wants a new life. He doesn’t want to return to the oil fields and feel like something is missing from his life. Mason always felt that a chapter of his life was unwritten, a transformation that had not occurred. He spent most of his life pretending to be someone else, knowing it would never work. Mason is prepared to do inner work to become one with a higher power so he can heal and finally become comfortable with himself.

When Torrey was 17 years old, he had his first drink, which changed his life. Alcohol gave him great confidence, and he would drink whenever he could. Drinking led to marijuana, then crack cocaine. The drugs took Torrey over the edge, and he was spiraling out of control.

Torrey met a girl in Atlanta, and they had a child together. She moved back to her home in New York, and Torrey followed her there. He wanted to be a good father to his child, but alcohol and drugs took over, and he could not be the father he wanted to be. He was unstable and unable to hold a job for very long.

Torrey moved back to Atlanta, but by this time, everyone knew he had a substance abuse problem. He decided to move to a small town in Alabama to change scenery, thinking it would be his chance for a new beginning. He got a job as a waiter, but he did not have the power to stop his addiction. He started to steal, and he was fired.

Torrey moved to Colorado and Texas, trying to escape his addiction, but he couldn’t move away from himself. Every place he moved, he brought himself and his destructive behaviors. He started going to prison, and each time would wonder why he kept doing the things he didn’t want to do.

Leaving prison for the last time, Torrey decided to go to 12-step meetings. He wanted to live a different life. The people he heard at the meetings planted the seed of recovery in him. Deep down, he knew he wanted to be sober and help people, but he wasn’t willing to get sober yet.

Torrey decided a fresh start in a new town with his new knowledge was what he needed. He had a sister who lived in San Diego. When he called her to say he wanted to come, he detected from the tone of her voice that she would not be happy about him moving to San Diego.

After talking with friends, Torrey looked for a recovery program in Los Angeles and found The Midnight Mission. As Torrey stepped off the Greyhound, he thought he would get one last pack of cigarettes and beer. After three attempts, Torrey was unable to get either. He said God was doing for him what he could not do for himself.

When Torrey got to The Midnight Mission, it was late. He slept in the Courtyard for the night and waited for a case worker in the morning. It was the beginning of a new life. He entered TMM’s Recovery Program and learned to change his behaviors for a different lifestyle. Torrey got a 12-step mentor to help him work through the steps of recovery. He likes the person he is becoming through the steps.

Torrey aspires to be a motivational speaker. He wants to be of service wherever he can to help his fellows. He is determined to have a bright future by doing the next best thing.

Despite growing up with good parents, Vernell G.’s life took a different turn from his upbringing. He fell into a life of drugs, alcohol, and gangs. He spent years of his life in jails and prisons. He had lost his way and all self-control.

During his seventh stay at The Midnight Mission, Vernell took his sobriety seriously. He was defeated and at a point of surrender. For the first time in 62 years, Vernell was ready to take direction from someone else. God had placed people in his life from TMM to show him the way.

Vernell decided to follow the simple path provided to him. He became willing and open-minded and ready to take suggestions. People from TMM were a beacon of hope, and Vernell decided if they could recover, he could, too.

TMM gave him the tools to see life more clearly and in a different light. He says he takes the recovery information and the lived experience of the advocates and meditates on it. By doing this, Vernell has a better understanding of his Creator. One of the ways he grew in his recovery was to process his day like a computer. If there are good behaviors and thoughts, it gets filed away, and if there are displeasing thought or behaviors, they get deleted.

Vernell has learned to put recovery first and not rush. He decided to stay at TMM to get a solid foundation of recovery despite having housing. He said he goes home to check his mail and has seen the temptations in Skid Row. He asked God to blind his eyes to the drugs and alcohol and keep him straight. When he has kept God first, Vernell is in a better place. He has deep gratitude for TMM. He said, “The Midnight Mission saves lives and saves souls.”

John Adams III was squandering his life away in addiction. He had endured trauma in his life, and the only way he knew how to deal with it was to use drugs and alcohol. He lived with self-pity, which was like quicksand taking him deeper and deeper into despair.

John’s first encounter with TMM was in our Courtyard. He met Doris and Thomas in our Access Center. John would come to take a shower, get clean clothes, and eat his meals with us. He knew TMM had more than emergency services to help him; it had the life-changing resources he needed to make a new start.

John decided to give TMM’s Recovery Program a chance. He was willing to learn how to live a different way of life. He took suggestions to get a sponsor and take direction. Instead of living on the outside edges of life, he has decided to stay in the middle.

TMM has taught John how to cope differently. John lives in truth and is honest with himself. He found the inner strength to move forward. He changed from being self-centered to focusing on service to others.

John has a bright future ahead of him. He is waiting for a job placement and has been matched for housing. He is on his way to a life of self-sufficiency.

After living under a bush for four months, Andrew Linares made a desperate call to a friend. He was sick and tired of scraping to survive. He was living in deep loneliness, no longer feeling like a human being, and was craving meaningful interaction with others.

Andrew had not heard of places like The Midnight Mission. When he arrived, he was overwhelmed and afraid of the unknown, but he was willing to do whatever was suggested. He worked with a recovery advocate and was eventually reacquainted with his family, something he thought would never happen.

At five months of recovery, Andrew’s cunning, baffling, and powerful disease told him he could have a drink. The day after Christmas 2015, Andrew picked up a drink. Instead of giving him the relief he’d felt while drinking in the past, he saw how much he wanted a different way of life. Andrew knew the consequences of telling on himself to the advocates at The Midnight Mission, but he wanted to commence to live a new way of life with rigorous honesty. Andrew was filled with gratitude when he experienced compassion and companionship from TMM instead of judgment. Because Andrew did what was right, he was able to stay and graduate from TMM’s participant program.

While he was a program participant, he worked in the education department, helping men with limited schooling the tools they needed to create resumes. Andrew discovered his real purpose was to help others. As an alumnus of the program, Andrew would come back to connect with participants, sharing his experience, strength, and hope.

In 2018, Andrew began his career at The Midnight Mission as the Community Events Coordinator, and after two years was promoted to Volunteer Manager. As Volunteer Manager, Andrew has an opportunity to share his personal success story through the services at TMM. Andrew is a shining example of the fruit of honesty, openness, and willingness.

Kevin Mitchell came to The Midnight Mission with a desire to get sober. He realized he couldn’t stop using on his own, and he needed help. The gift of desperation brought him through the doors of TMM.

Kevin’s first month was the hardest to get through. Living his life in the depths of addiction, he found it hard to trust other people. When a doctor gave him a medical diagnosis, he thought the physician was lying. Accepting the truth of this diagnosis was a turning point in Kevin’s recovery journey.

Kevin realized The Midnight Mission was offering more than sobriety. TMM was going to help him establish a new way of life. Through the recovery program, Kevin is learning how to live life morally and selflessly. He is working toward having a place of his own. One of the most significant rewards he has received is beyond monetary value; it is peace of mind.

Kevin has found purpose in helping others. He has a job and a loving relationship with his family. He said he knew the program was working when he realized he’d never been sober this long. Kevin has experienced profound changes in his perspective. He has gained the wisdom that he can learn and grow through failure. Kevin knows that acceptance is the answer today.

Today, Kevin has found a community of people and is connected. He wants to thank the staff at The Midnight Mission for inspiring him to get his life together. His heart is forever grateful, and he says there is no way he could pay back the priceless gift TMM has given him. To pay it forward, Kevin encourages others to learn about the program, but even more importantly, to put the program into action. He says if he can do it, anyone can!

Jon Lewis grew up in Long Beach. For twenty years, he was a bartender and bar manager. Jon maintained his job and lifestyle while drinking and smoking marijuana until he lost the ability to stop. Jon lost his job, and received unemployment. Unemployment enabled him to drink all day and night; drinking controlled him.

Jon could not pay his rent because he spent all his money on alcohol, and eventually, he lost his apartment. Jon decided to move into his 1969 Volkswagen. He saw losing his apartment as freedom; it gave him less responsibility. He would go to his mom’s house to shower and his family would talk to him about his drinking but he did not think he was doing anything wrong.

Jon started to park his Volkswagen at Chavez Park in Long Beach. He got to know the people living in the park, and they drank as he drank. Jon made friends with a drug dealer, and they would hang out together even though Jon did not do drugs. One afternoon, a guy struck Jon so hard that he saw stars. At that moment, Jon had a moment of clarity. He saw the way he was living would lead to his death, and he asked God to help him.

He drove back to his mom’s house. Jon’s sister had decades of sobriety, and when they called her to say he needed help, she said she had been waiting for Jon to call her. Jon’s sister gave him the phone number of one of her sober friends, a graduate of The Midnight Mission. When Jon called him, he told him to meet him at 6 am at the corner of 6th and San Pedro Streets. Jon’s mom put him on the blue line, and as he got off the train, fear overtook him as he walked through Skid Row. He met his sister’s friend in the courtyard of TMM on February 8, 2016. Jon has not looked back since that day.

Jon was put into detox, and as his head cleared, he was ready to do anything to get sober. He met with TMM advocates and was willing to take all their suggestions. He was given a job at the front desk in the dormitory, and TMM paid for Jon to get his GED. TMM took him to the doctor for a thorough check-up and found his liver had high signs of harmful enzymes. Six months into living a sober life, his liver had healed and improved.

Jon started going to 12-step meetings every day. He attended all the advocate classes and even had a favorite advocate, Eli Handy. Jon continued to put one foot in front of another. Since he had a driver’s license, he became TMM van’s driver taking other program participants to meetings.

Because of Jon’s affirmative actions, he was asked to work with Clancy’s assistant. He loved being of service in the administrative office of TMM. He was honored to do any task asked of him.

After six months in the Healthy Living Program, Jon sent out resumes to get a job outside TMM. His first job was at UPS. His sister let him make payments on a hand-me-down car so he could get back and forth to work. Steadily, Jon’s life got better.

He graduated from the program in 2017. His family was so proud of him at graduation, then again when he celebrated his first sobriety anniversary. Jon moved into the 3rd-floor transitional apartments and continued to save his money as he worked and went to 12-step meetings. Jon was able to move from the apartment to transitional housing on 54th and Vermont.

Jon got a job in Long Beach and returned to his hometown to help take care of his mom, who had been sick. He spent three years of quality time caring for his mom before she died.

Today, Jon participates in regular 12-step meetings, works for a friend in an alternative medical business and owns a new car. He enjoys activities he loved as a child: bodyboarding, kayaking, and going to the beach.

Jon praises and thanks TMM. He felt soulless before coming to TMM, and TMM helped him find his soul. Since his first day at TMM, he has not looked back. He keeps in touch with other graduates from TMM. Jon recommends those coming into the program go to meetings, get a sponsor, and follow the suggestions TMM gives them so they may have a new life.

In the early 2000s, Edward Coleman was consumed with the dark life in Skid Row. He lived on the streets for over seven years, in and out of the missions in Downtown Los Angeles. He could never stay in or finish any program that offered him help.

Edward first came to The Midnight Mission because he was hungry. He kept coming back because TMM had the best food in Skid Row, and he could safely sleep in the courtyard at night. While walking one day, he saw an alumnus of TMM who encouraged him to take advantage of programs TMM offered. Edward was at a point of desperation and was willing to enter The Midnight Mission’s Healthy Living Program.

Part of the Healthy Living Program was to attend 12-step recovery meetings. Edward says these meetings were a turning point for him. For the first time, he wanted to finish a program. He wanted to have a different life. The Midnight Mission provided Edward with life skills and new opportunities. One of his fondest memories was attending his first basketball game. He was selected to go to a LA Clippers game and got to sit 20 feet from the game floor.

Edward was given a job at The Midnight Mission that changed the course of his life. He was assigned as the assistant to TMM Managing Director Clancy Ismislund. When he put on a shirt and tie for his new position, he knew he wanted to become a professional. He would answer phones and read computer books in his spare time.

Edward learned a lot from TMM, but he experienced a relapse when he left. The life skills he was taught at TMM came back to him, and he found sobriety again. He would encourage anyone trying to get sober to hold on and not pick up the first drink.

Edward moved back to Lancaster and pursued his dream of becoming a professional. His family supported his plan, even getting him an office with a desk. In 2016, he enrolled at Antelope Valley College for a degree in network administration. He is currently back in school to get his business administration degree. Edward carries a 3.0 GPA, is on the dean’s list, and was recently awarded a scholarship from Vallarta Supermarkets and the Gonzalez Family Foundation Schlolarship Endowment. When he completes two more semesters, he will enroll at UC Berkely. Edward aspires to have educational degrees to show future employers he is a changed man. Edward encourages others to continue to learn because it will pave the way for the future.

Edward credits the dramatic change in his life to The Midnight Mission. TMM showed him that he didn’t have to be the stereotype; he did not have to remain homeless and addicted to drugs on Skid Row. TMM showed Edward how to access the potential he always had, and today he is living proof that lives can be transformed when someone takes the time to believe in another. He wants anyone who comes into TMM to stay until the miracle happens for them.

Logan Hobson had hit bottom for the fifteenth time when he walked through the doors of The Midnight Mission. He was 58 years old, and Skid Row was his last hope.

It was a far cry from where he had been. Logan had been a sportswriter in New York. While in Las Vegas, he invented the Compubox, a computer program capable of tracking every punch in a boxing match. For nearly 20 years, Logan worked with HBO Sports and ESPN on their boxing telecasts. He was also a sportswriter with United Press International, New York, for seven years. He had arrived, but Logan decided to sell the business for new challenges.

He didn’t know the most significant challenge he would face would be to get and stay sober. He was in 20 detoxes, treatment centers, and sober living houses for eight years until even they would not take him in any longer. He had a mentor who let him sleep on his couch and told him that he would take him to The Midnight Mission at 6 am the following morning. Logan recalls thinking his mentor treated his dog better than he was treating him. Logan had no idea this man was taking him to a place that would save his life. The man told him it was time for him to pick up the tab for all his malarkey. He guaranteed him if he stayed at The Midnight Mission, he would finally own his life. He told him to see the old man, Clancy.

After being at TMM for a couple of weeks, Logan made an appointment to meet with Clancy. As Logan sat across from him, he told Clancy he didn’t know if he wanted to be sober. Clancy told him he was honored to have a no-good bum with them at TMM, then Clancy smiled at him and told him he knew exactly how he felt. For the first time, someone understood. Logan realized what Clancy said was true. He was a bum, and he needed help.

Clancy hired Logan as his assistant. Clancy would tell him to have his mail, emails, donut, and coffee ready in the morning. Logan knew something was changing in him because having Clancy’s things ready was more important than how he felt. Feelings had driven him, and now he was motivated by service.

Logan learned the most from watching Clancy. After Clancy finished reading the USA Today at lunchtime, he would tell Logan to take the paper to the parking garage attendant because he could use something to read. Clancy noticed the people that others did not see. He had a way of connecting to people, stopping in the hall to ask how people were doing.

Every year, Clancy did a mailing for The Midnight Mission. Logan recalls he would sit with the guys to stuff envelopes. He would tell jokes and stories to make the day more fun. Clancy wanted to be hands-on because these were his people.

Clancy wasn’t big about talking about God, but he would show you what God is about through his care for others. Logan listened to how he spoke to his sponsees in the 12 step recovery program. He had 150 sponsees and knew what was going on in each of their lives. Logan became one of those people whom Clancy knew inside and out. Clancy could unscramble the alcoholic brain and simplify things. He had an uncanny way of calming people down. He told them when you don’t know what to do; kindness is your default setting.

Clancy drilled it into Logan’s head to keep recovery first. You will lose everything you put before recovery. Logan believes it was divine intervention that brought him to The Midnight Mission and into the lap of the person who had an understanding of alcoholism like no other. He believes no one else could have gotten through to him.

Before the pandemic, Logan, a comedian, was performing regularly at the Comedy Store. He was also hosting TMM’s Laughter With a Mission Open Mic and bringing guest comedians to perform for our guests. For the last five years, he has been playing the Easter Bunny at TMM’s Easter celebration.

Since graduating from our program, Logan continues to lend a hand-up to those who are recovering from addiction and homelessness. Today, he works as a property manager and as a manager of a sober living house. Logan has a life he never dreamed would be possible. He owes it all to Clancy, The Midnight Mission, and his recovery support group.

Tee Tee Ware (also known as simply Tee) is an energetic, strong-willed extrovert from the state of Washington. This wasn’t always the case for Tee. In June 2017, he found himself coming through the doors of The Midnight Mission in a losing battle with drug and alcohol addiction.

Tee rose from his bottom through a willingness to work a recovery program. He took advantage of every resource TMM had to offer. He attended 12 step meetings and worked closely with his advocate. Through his vigorous action, Tee found a new outlook on life and peace from within.

He found purpose in helping others through various service projects, and he kept every commitment he made. While at TMM, he tried to be a positive example to other men coming through the program. Tee knew how hard it was to be away from family and having to follow the rules, so he used his experience, strength, and hope to encourage others.

Today, Tee is surrounded by those who are cheering for each step he takes forward. He has built a community around him that gives him support and direction. Tee is a member of the Skid Row Running Club, a runner’s club that uses the power of running to improve the lives of those who are at risk for homelessness and addiction. Tee’s running is another way to offer hope to struggling men and women.

Tee has found permanent employment at The Midnight Mission. He brings personal empathy to our homeless neighbors who come to our door for help. Tee’s positivity is a testimony today; no matter how hard things are, if you see it through, results will come.

James Farr first came to The Midnight Mission for help in 1996, but he did not apply the lessons he learned until he went through the program for the second time in 2000. For the last 20 years, James has faithfully served The Midnight Mission.

Staying at The Midnight Mission was not James’ original plan. He worked in the kitchen as part of TMM’s work therapy program. He had applied for Section 8 housing, and he found an apartment. He asked if he could stay on at TMM until he found another job. James never found another job. In his words, “The Midnight Mission saved my life, and it is where I give back to others.” James believes it is important to be where he is supposed to be, and it is evident TMM is where he is needed. He only misses work if he is sick, and then someone has to tell him to go home. His co-workers know he is responsible and dependable.

James loves to meet the volunteers who come to help in The Midnight Mission’s kitchen. His enthusiasm for what he does spills over into the people he meets. He has many stories of people who have come in over the years.

One little boy started to volunteer at The Midnight Mission when he was nine years old. He came with his family; then, the family brought their church to volunteer. James watched him grow up over the years he volunteered with TMM. He grew so close to the family; they invited him to celebrate Christmas at their house. Another volunteer would return month after month, showing James a picture he had taken of the two of them, telling James he was his best friend.

James had an incredible mentor at The Midnight Mission. Richard Ramirez was the executive chef when he first came to the program in 1996, and he was there when he came back. They worked together for over 13 years. Richard encouraged James to go to LA Trade Tech culinary school. The program took two years, and it required James to work from 12 am until 6 am then go to school. He would catch a bus to and from school and work, sometimes getting his sleep between stops. In the end, James finished and is a certified chef.

Richard urged James to get a driver’s license. When Richard was sick and near the end of his life, he told James he would leave his car to James. The relationship they had working together was full of love and support.

In addition to having great relationships with staff and volunteers, James has excellent ties with donors. SoCalGas is a faithful donor who also works hands-on at The Midnight Mission. James developed a trusting relationship with one of the engineers who would volunteer in the kitchen. He would compliment James, telling him he ran the kitchen beautifully. When it came time for the Smokey Robinson golf tournament, the engineer invited James to play on his team. One of the executives who was playing with them won five of the prizes awarded that day. He gave all of the prizes away except one, a Soul Train Cruise. He said he was keeping it for himself. When the executive returned to The Midnight Mission for the Golden Heart Gala, he asked to see James. When James came to work, he was curious why they were all standing in a circle. The executive said it was put on his heart to give James the trip. James was so surprised. It was the best vacation, one he could not have planned for himself. He saw many artists perform on the seven-day cruise and even heard Smokey Robinson when they went to the port in Puerto Rico.

The life James leads is one of service to others. His eagerness to get to know others grants immeasurable rewards. He has stayed connected to The Midnight Mission and those who come through the doors to work, volunteer, or get their own lives back on track. James is a shining example of what can happen when you put your trust in God and dedicate your life to helping others. He found all of his needs are met, and he lives a life that is usefully whole. James encourages others to stay focused, stay connected, and don’t let circumstances in life knock you off your feet.

Paul A. Castillo entered The Midnight Mission on June 16, 2019. At that time, he was trying to find a job while living on the street and struggling with a drinking problem. Finding himself in a state of desperation, he knew he could get help to overcome his addiction and homelessness at The Midnight Mission.

Paul was excited to participate in TMM’s programs to get on a pathway to self-sufficiency. When he faces difficulties today, his heart reminds him that he came here to get help. He doesn’t want to end up back in the streets. He stays motivated by watching others. He sees how people needlessly suffer when they don’t utilize the tools provided to them in the program. Paul is dedicated to staying at The Midnight Mission, so he may use his experience to help others. Paul realized TMM’s program was working for him when he stopped agonizing about minor things and began to see criticism as constructive suggestions for his improvement instead of judgment.

Paul is accommodating, hard-working, and reliable. While at The Midnight Mission, he was given the opportunity to work and to polish up his resume. Through working at TMM, he has learned how to handle responsibility, how to work with others, and how not to let his frustrations get the best of him. He has excelled in his work therapy position in TMM’s Transportation Department with his excellent work ethic and positive attitude. He is thankful for the opportunities he has been given and admires his supervisor Darryl because he knows he can go to Darryl with any challenges he may face.

Paul is saving the money he earns and is looking forward to obtaining housing and moving on to the next steps in his recovery. He is continuing to do the next right thing to create a better life for himself. He would like to tell anyone new to the program to have a plan and not just sit around. Paul says time will fly, and you should take advantage of all of the opportunities that TMM offers.

Floyd Davis started with the cards stacked against him. At an early age, he was exposed to drugs, alcohol, and violent abuse. Davis was born and raised in New Orleans in a household with a loving mother, but an abusive father. At the age of six, his father got upset and pulled a gun on him. His mom stepped in between Floyd and the gun, and his dad fired a shot, which narrowly missed his mother’s head. Davis saw it all. He never wanted to be like his dad but later found himself falling into the same patterns with his own son by drinking and being abusive. Then one day, as he was pulling out a stick to whip his son, he broke down and said: “I don’t want to be like this,” he then grabbed his son and hugged him, “I’m not going to be like that” he told himself.

As much as he tried, Davis could not stop abusing drugs and alcohol. The Impression his dad had on his life was too strong to ignore. Davis believed that he would never escape a life of drugs, alcohol, and abuse. Because of that, he felt like there was never going to be closure in his life. Although he tried to live on the straight and narrow, he soon found himself in Skid Row, where he was using daily. But that fire always burned within him to become a better man. Davis, who describes himself as a “go-getter and a man who wanted to change his life,” brought himself to The Midnight Mission (TMM) in July of 2018 looking for a new start.

Davis had a lot of built-up anger festering inside of him. The first few months at The Midnight were hard and he was rebellious and acted out. A fellow Skid Row friend didn’t think The Midnight Mission was for Davis. She tried to convince him to go back to the streets and continue using drugs and alcohol. It would have been the easy thing to do. But despite how he was acting out, the desire to be a better man never left Davis’ thoughts. He told his friend he was going to stay at The Midnight Mission and continue to work on himself.

There were many times when Davis wanted to quit and leave, but a picture of a bearded man who asked him for a dollar reminded him of what he didn’t want to be. He thought to himself, “I remembered a man I had seen, that had asked me for a dollar on the street, and something came clear to me that day. If you don’t stop doing what you are doing, you’re going to be just like that man, nothing. They’re just going to put dirt over you, and that’s it. And I said I never want to be like that man. I think seeing that man is what keeps me focused. I think God showed me that man for a reason.”

Davis worked hard and has been able to find success at The Midnight Mission. He passed the resume class with flying colors. Since then, he has found a job as a dishwasher and has helped eight other TMM participants gain employment. He takes great pride in being of service to others. He says his job and his boss, who gave him a chance, keep him going. In fact, his boss would like Davis to someday go to culinary school. Davis has also joined the 1201 Alumni Association after successfully completing the program. The week of Thanksgiving, Davis moved into his first new apartment.

As Davis leaves The Midnight Mission and embarks upon his new journey, he hopes to be remembered as a decent person. “I want to make a change. I may not have much, but I want to make a change.” Davis knows it won’t be easy and some days will be harder than others. But, as Davis likes to say, “good is always going to outdo the evil. Evil can not win!”

Albert Rivas came to The Midnight Mission in 2019, looking for a new start. He entered the Healthy Living Program, which is designed to help people learn how to live a life free from drugs and alcohol and become contributing members of society. Albert was motivated, determined, and optimistic about what the future might hold.

At The Midnight Mission, Albert found a foundation for his new life through our 12-step philosophy. He acknowledges part of getting back on his feet was accepting the mental health and housing help TMM offered. Albert took suggestions about how to do the next right thing and learned to take responsibility for his past and present actions.

During his first few months at TMM, Albert found it hard to adjust to others’ behaviors and personalities. A verbal disagreement discouraged Albert, and he wanted to leave. But, because he was on a new footing, his desire to change and live a better life exceeded his need to be right. He experienced spiritual growth as he placed principles before personalities and realized he only had the power to change himself.

In his first few months of being at TMM, he realized the program was working for him. He says he knows having people who were empathetic to his needs helped him be more patient in the relationships that he is now building. Coming from a broken home made him realize just how essential communication is. With patience and good communication, he has become a better father and is now a positive influence in his children’s lives. Albert thanks the staff of TMM for inspiring him and setting an example of the type of person he strives to be. Albert would especially like to thank Matt for his support and understanding, Donald for being patient, encouraging and helping him with problem-solving advice, and Ebony for being a good listener and advocate.

Albert is an active member of a 12-step fellowship, attending regular meetings and has even been approved by our Program Director to start his own 12-step recovery group here at TMM. He uses his life experiences to help others find freedom from addiction. He values his relationships with other people, and he likes to treat people the way he wants to be treated.

Albert plans to join TMMs 1201 Alumni Club to continue to give back and share with others how to utilize the tools he acquired through the 12 steps. He walked through the doors of TMM with only the clothes on his back and received not only food and shelter, but a new way of life. He knew he was in the right place. Albert now has a love for The Midnight Mission that no one can take from him. If there is anyone who is on the fence about coming into The Healthy Life Program, Albert has a word of advice: “Don’t give up. You will hit roadblocks. However, if you work hard, you can move forward from those roadblocks. Make sure you put in the work.”