STORIES OF REDEMPTION
The Mission exists to help make our community a better place to live, work, and enjoy for everyone. It’s both our responsibility and privilege to come alongside our faithful Mission supporters to offer a hand-up to those who are determined to rebuild shattered lives by using proven faith-based principles that transforms lives and combats homelessness, poverty, and addiction.
Stories featured throughout our site are genuine. In some instances, names have been changed to protect the privacy of those we serve. We invite you to read them and celebrate our clients’ victories with us.
MEET MICHAEL
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 — their own life-dominating issues. He often mentors men going through the LifeBuilder Recovery Program.
MEET BRANDON
Brandon came to Waterfront Mission hopeless and broken. He thought that his chances were up and that he wouldn’t get another opportunity to receive employment, a license, a home of his own. Listen in as he shares his story and how Waterfront gave him a new look at life, as well as a successful future.
MEET LEMUEL
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.
MEET BILLY
Billy is a diagnosed schizophrenic. He served on submarines with the U.S Navy and suffered from PTSD as a result of traumatic incidents, turning to drugs and alcohol to self-medicate. After his fiancee left him, unable to watch him destroy himself, Billy realized that he needed help. That’s when he turned to the Mission.
MEET BOBBY
Following a serious accident that severely damaged his body while he was living homeless, Bobby was sent to Waterfront Rescue Mission to recover. He soon realized he needed more than physical recovery. Bobby, who’d struggled with alcoholism most of his life, needed mental, spiritual, and addiction recovery. Bobby completed Waterfront’s Recovery program and has since landed a good job, is active at a local church, and was able to save up enough to buy his own car! He continues learning the skills needed to be a self-sufficient, productive citizen—without substance abuse.
MEET RAY
Ray served our country in the Navy in the height of the Vietnam Era. He accepted the Lord after his service ended, but by the 80s he had turned his back on his faith and spent the next 30 years running from God. After several bouts of homelessness and time in prison, he was desperate for help. That’s when he turned to Waterfront.
MEET TONY
Tony loved to ride his bike—he rode to and from his job. He was careful, but one day, Tony was nearly killed. The accident caused him to lose his right leg and his job. Thankfully, Waterfront had a place for him. Through our programs, Tony was able to save money and today, he has an apartment of his own and is back at work.
MORE STORIES
Luke’s Story
Luke started drinking and smoking pot at the age of 13. When he was 19, he received his first DUI. Soon, he was using hard drugs and was continuously in and out of jail. His life revolved around feeding his drug addiction, until he came to the Mission.
Wesley’s Story
Wesley was born to a mother who was addicted to drugs. By the time he was in junior high school, Wesley started smoking and drinking and found himself running away from the Lord. Eventually, he was introduced to harder drugs and found himself out on the streets.
Bill’s Story
After breaking both of his legs, Bill found himself in a precarious position: not sick enough for the hospital, but too sick for the streets. And with no money for a private, for-profit rehab facility, Bill had nowhere to go and no one to help him. Luckily, he found his way to the Mission.
Frank’s Story
Frank is like so many of us these days. He worked hard, but barely made enough to support himself. He wasn’t able to set any money aside, and when he fell on hard time, he ended up homeless. Frank turned to the Mission to help him get back on his feet.
Together, we are making our community a better place to work and live — one restored life at a time! Make an investment into our community by investing into the lives of others.
