When Timothy’s marriage ended after nearly 30 years, he was devastated. He was consumed by his heartbreak and unable to let go of the past. “My life spiraled downhill into things I never did before I was married,” he says.

He forged unhealthy relationships and adopted destructive behaviors, including abusing alcohol and drugs. He drank away his savings, his car was repossessed and his home was foreclosed on. “After nine years, I woke up one morning with no food, no money and no place to live,” he says.

He went for weeks with little to eat, struggling to survive on the streets… before finding his way to San Diego Rescue Mission.

Timothy took things very slowly at first, reading the Bible… taking in everything he was being taught… building his relationship with the Lord. And over time, his work assignment in our kitchen empowered him with renewed motivation and a sense of responsibility. He performed the job so well that he was invited to become an intern, learning culinary skills and cooking for more than 500 people each day. That experience soon led to a full-time position with the Rescue Mission.

Today, Timothy is grateful to have his own place and a job that he loves.

Going forward, he says he will continue to follow God’s guidance and use the tools we have given him to stay on the right track.

With a heart of Thanksgiving, he shares these words, grateful for friends like you whose gifts have given him this second chance: “Before, I was just trying to survive, thinking I wasn’t worth anything. But I’m a person now… I’m a person! The Mission saved my life.”