Success Stories

At Waterfront Mission, we believe in the power of new beginnings. Below, are five inspiring stories of men who have recently graduated from our LifeBuilder Recovery Program. Each of them faced their own rock bottom, but through faith, perseverance, and the support they found at the Mission, they rebuilt their lives. May these serve as…

John remembers his childhood as a series of contrasts. Like his mom, who was an alcoholic… and his dad, who was overprotective to try to compensate. Or a wonderful childhood spent playing outside… and a heartbreaking experience of addiction as he became a teenager. When John was about 13 years old, time with friends took…

Daniel grew up in a good family, and his mom always took him to church. But as a young teen, he started down a path of substance abuse that continued long into adulthood. “I was the bad kid. I wanted to do what I wanted to do no matter what.”  Even after Daniel became a…

Johnny was raised in a loving home, and in his early years, it was enough to make him happy. But when he reached adolescence, he began longing for something more. “I felt like I wasn’t enough. I wanted to be accepted by the cool kids, so I started partying with them.” It was the beginning…

Darin was heartbroken when his beloved father passed away, but there wasn’t time to grieve. He had to be strong and provide care for his disabled mother. But when she died three years later, his grief sent him spiraling into a deep depression. “I wanted to leave this world and go be with my mom…

Kevin and Jennifer were at their son’s bedside as he lay dying from his addiction. “We both promised Mitch that we would tell his story of what the Mission and God had done for him,” Kevin says. “He wanted people to know.” It wasn’t the story they’d expected to be telling about their son’s life.…

Before I came to Waterfront Mission, I had one foot in church ministry and my other foot in hell – and I could die at any moment. Let me explain how I got here.  I grew up in a Christian home, but my father was an abusive alcoholic who left me with a lot of…

Daryl remembers the day well. He was 10 years old, sitting on a porch swing, when his mother packed her bags and left the family for good. He didn’t understand, but in his child’s heart, he always thought she left because of him. “I grew up in church,” Daryl recalls. “I always believed in God,…

Michael was a hardcore crack cocaine addict.  But he decided he wanted a different life.  That’s when he came to Waterfront.  He completed the Recovery Program in 1995 and has been living clean and sober ever since!  In fact, he’s a thriving business owner who each year helps many men face — and deal with…

Lemuel came into Waterfront Rescue Mission of Mobile just looking for a meal. But what he really needed was help stepping away from drugs. 9 years later, he’s clean and sober, married, employed, and has a passion for God.