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Burnside Shelter

Tired and alone, Portland Rescue Mission helped Casey recover his life

Casey and his sister.

Casey and his sister.

A strong meth and alcohol addiction robbed Casey of everything. He walked the streets of downtown Portland feeling lost and alone. And then he found the Burnside Shelter. Casey recently wrote us about his story, expressing gratitude for how we were there for him.

“After continuously self-sabotaging my life and making a bad situation worse, I came across Portland Rescue Mission for a hot meal at the end of the day.

Little did I know or realize it would later become so much more than a hot meal. I had become dependent on my survival skills to get me through challenging and rough days of being homeless, jobless and hopeless on the streets of downtown. After a few years of the same patterns and out of control addiction issues, I became tired.”

Your support of Portland Rescue Mission kept Casey alive.

On a good day, he would get a bed at Portland Rescue Mission and experience “what seemed like heaven for a night–a hot shower and bed to get off my feet, rest, and recharge for yet another hard day ahead the next day. In days past and unlucky days, where I did not get a bed, I would wander the streets aimlessly all night long. I had to sleep under bridges and doorways and I hit the rock bottom I never even imagined.

food-lineWith the help of the staff and volunteers, a warm smile as they gave me my food and a place to pray in a chapel setting, I began to be inspired and encouraged that it was never too late to get your life back. I would attend chapel services with powerful messages from God that poured out hope to me.”

Portland Rescue Mission’s staff helped Casey get enrolled in an outpatient treatment center downtown.

These days I am living the dream!

He now has his own apartment and is employed. “I have great friends and all of my family back in my life with a stronger relationship than ever.”

Casey surrendered his life to God in December of 2014 and has been living clean and sober ever since.

There was a time in my life when all I had was my belongings in a backpack and Portland Rescue Mission. If not for the hot meals, a bed at night to sleep and the hope that they gave me, I would not have changed my life and turned an infinite negative into a positive. Thank you Portland Rescue Mission for all you have helped show me I could do and be! I am forever grateful and in your debt!”

It’s because of your time, your financial gifts and your prayers for Portland Rescue Mission that countless men and women like Casey are finding hope and a restored life.Thanks for helping change their future. 

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