Lives Changed

New Lives, New Hope

Read the stories of how lives are changing here at TCUGM, and remember that these life changes are made possible by donors like you.

Donate Online
man loading laundry in a large washing machine at TCUGM
Wayne

WAYNE

"In November 2023, I hit rock bottom. I came out of a blackout to find someone I loved bleeding—because of me. That night, I cried out to God for help. A few weeks later, I blacked out again and woke up in jail. I spent 74 days behind bars, realizing something had to change.
 
When I got out, I had no place to go—until I was told about the Union Gospel Mission. That’s where everything started to shift. I joined the New Life Program, a 13-month faith-based recovery journey that helped me rebuild my life and my relationship with God. Through Celebrate Recovery, One Day at a Time, and powerful teachings, I’ve found freedom from the addictions that once controlled me.
I’m now part of an incredible community at Grace Point Church, growing in my faith and serving others. I’m no longer running from my pain—I’m facing it with God’s strength. I’ve learned to live with purpose, hope, and humility.
 
To anyone struggling with addiction: you are not alone. Give God a chance—He changed my heart of stone into a heart of flesh.
Psalm 66:16-20
Philippians 3:12-16
 
Thank you to God, my family, the UGM staff, my mentors, friends, and brothers in recovery. Your support helped make this transformation possible.
 
All glory to God."
 
Special thanks to Program Director Mark Heritage and Case Manager Armando Chavez, as well as all the volunteers and donors that make transformations like Wayne's possible.
Jose

JOSE

After a night in jail, Jose prayed, “Lord, send me somewhere people want to live the right way. Where people have faith.”
 
The next morning, someone told him about the Mission—just a block away. He couldn’t believe how welcoming and peaceful it was.
 
Jose has now been sober for over a year—free from cigarettes, drugs, and alcohol. He loves reading the Word of God daily and says his relationship with Jesus is the most important thing in his life.
 
At the Mission, he found structure, accountability, and a community of faith. With the help of his case manager, Jose, and 4th Dimension Living, he’s preparing to move into sober housing and pursue meaningful work. His words for others:
 
“God has a plan. Sometimes you might question it. But God has a plan—and that plan is good.”
Aaron

AARON

“Before coming to the Mission, I was homeless and hopeless. Now, I realize I’m not alone.”
 
This Easter, Aaron is celebrating a new life in Christ—and it all started with a warm meal and a safe bed at Tri-City Union Gospel Mission. After years of battling addiction and homelessness, Aaron found the support he needed through our New Life Recovery Program and Case Management Services—a blend of spiritual guidance, recovery tools and practical life skills that helped him see his worth and envision a future.
 
Now living on his own, drug- and alcohol-free, Aaron is focused on being a good father and living with purpose. “They helped me set realistic goals... that has made the biggest difference.”
 
Thank you for being part of Aaron’s transformation. Because of you, he’s stepping into a future filled with hope.
William

WILLIAM

Meet William—a living testimony to the power of redemption, resilience, and faith. William’s journey began in brokenness, struggling with addiction, abandonment, and a life of chaos that started in childhood. By the age of 15, he was a full-blown addict, caught in a cycle of pain, substance abuse, and self-destruction. But God had other plans.
 
Through the grace of God and the support of the Tri-City Union Gospel Mission, Celebrate Recovery, and Alcoholics Anonymous, William’s life began to change. He found community, healing, and purpose. He was baptized at Grace Point Church, joined the New Life Program in September 2023 and graduated a year later. He is now active in his recovery and continues to study the Bible with hope for the future.
 
Today, William is sober, rebuilding family relationships, taking college classes, and striving to be a light in his community. His story is proof that no one is beyond the reach of grace—and that healing is possible when we surrender, commit to growth, and surround ourselves with the right people.
 
Let’s celebrate his incredible journey and keep cheering him on!

Antonio

Before coming into the Mission, I struggled trying to restore all I had lost - work, a decent place to live, and my kids. I was heartbroken, and I knew I was destroying myself by returning over and over to drugs and alcohol. I felt trapped within some very steep walls that I had built around me. What’s so odd about all that happened is I had been an honest, hard-working guy who took good care of my family. These past years felt more like being lost than just hitting a rough patch in life.

I prayed sincerely and asked God for help. I came to the Mission and soon found a job, but I had carried my problems with me. I started smoking marijuana again and I lost my job - again! I heard about the Mission’s New Life Program and how it addressed spirituality and building a relationship with God. That interested me, especially when they explained how I could begin to understand why I continued to put myself through this cycle and what I could do to end it and find peace.

I knew I was carrying some emotional junk with me that was more complicated than the drugs. When I was a child my mom went to prison and my sibilings and I were separated and scattered to different family members. My dad remarried and his new wife didn’t seem to like me much, or even at all. I always felt I was in the way. She would say mean things about my mom, which I hated to hear, and my dad wouldn’t help me.

I ended up with my grandparents, but I was sad and bitter. I started using harder drugs, and my life went downhill fast. I ended up on the streets in winter, and was freezing (literally) when I felt like God said to me, “This is all coming to an end now.”

God was always part of my life, but now I have asked Him to lead my life. I’ve stopped all drug and alcohol use and have started thinking clearly - what a difference that makes! In the past I would bottle up many things - emotions, stress, and a lot of shame from past experiences. If anything was troubling me I would bottle it up or try to push it away with drugs. Now I don’t have all the lingering, nagging thoughts and I’m able to open up and talk to people. In the New Life Program I can ask questions, tell my story, discover what happened, and realize how God has been with me every step of the way. I’ve learned to forgive myself and not worry about the past or the future.

My goal is to further my education and I already have my financial aid filled out. I’m looking at becoming an industrial mechanic, or even getting my chemical dependency certificate so I can help other people in situations similar to mine.

The pain of my family falling apart and being separated from one another hurts less today. Part of that is my changed outlook, and part is believing God restores the humble and poor in spirit. Today I believe He will renew my relationship with my own two children, and that we will, one day, enjoy holidays together. It’s been a long time, I’m working toward it, and I’m ready!

Ricardo

Ricardo Paz grew up in a family that saw its share of struggles. Originally from South America, Ricardo, his siblings, and their father came to the United States to find a new life away from crime and poverty. Ricardo never knew his real mother, and while his father did his best to take care of them, life was admittedly hard.

When he turned 18 Ricardo left home and quickly found himself in trouble. Life went downhill further and he found himself homeless. He was miserable but had heard about the Union Gospel Mission; one year ago Ricardo got off the streets and came here. Despite the rough exterior, our staff discovered the young man was open to receiving help and support, so they invited Ricardo to join the New Life Program.

The Mission has become a lifeline for Ricardo; today he feels part of something and says it feels great. His life has become so much more positive since discovering God’s unconditional love and forgiveness. Each day waking up to know that God loves him and that He will never give up on him has made all the difference in the world for Ricardo.

Ricardo is making great strides in obtaining his GED and he attends a local church with several of his fellow new Life Program members. He took advantage of the Covid-19 shelter-in-place, knocking out all of his New Life Program expectations, and graduating on May 1. Now Ricardo will work with one of the Mission’s caseworkers to find stable work and safe, affordable housing. Until then, he knows he is in the right place, surrounded by people who love him, amazed that he has more hope than he does despair, and he gives all the credit to God.

He still wonders about his family, and looks forward to reconnecting with them when the time is right. He feels that God is preparing his heart with love and forgiveness, so that when he does reconnect with his father and his siblings, he will be strong and reflect the change that only God can make through His Son Jesus.

We hope to celebrate Ricardo’s graduation with all of you once we get past the Covid restrictions. Stay tuned and we will rejoice together in the changes that God makes in all our lives.

Ricky - lives changed by TCUGM
men playing football