My name is Dennis.

A year ago if you told me I’d be on track to go to college I’d think you were crazy. College? I was too busy getting high on methamphetamines and alcohol.

I was living life on my terms. God was not an option for me. I had run away from home at age 16 so I could live without anyone telling me what to do. That was four years ago.

On a typical day I’d get up, meet my friends, try to scrape some money to buy meth and then go get high. I would even do sexual acts for money.

That’s how desperate I was.

I didn’t care about my family, myself or anyone else. When I wasn’t high – which was not very often – I’d feel remorse. I felt like trash. Dirty inside. But then I’d mask it all by going back to the drug.

This was my insane pattern.

Then the law gave me two options: Go to prison or the Reno-Sparks Gospel Mission.

It wasn’t difficult to say yes to the Mission. Now, the Mission is a family to me. I’m at home here. I’ve never felt so accepted.

With God’s help and the compassion of the staff, I’m finally heading in the right direction.

In the past my life was nothing but darkness, surrounded by people who also lived in the dark. Everything was gloomy.

Today, I see the light of Christ in everything I do.

On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being best, I’m between a 7 and 8.

After I graduate from the Mission’s 13-month program, I plan on attending community college. I want to help other young people who struggle with substance abuse.

I have a story to tell. Perhaps what I say will keep someone else from falling into the same dark pit.

Thank you for all you are doing for me. I know the future is bright.