Sante’s grandmother played a central role in his life – she helped raise him and was a source of stability. But when she died, it left him reeling with grief and trauma.
This marked the beginning of a difficult time in Sante’s life. “After that I started going through a lot of things. I tried to take my life twice,” he recalls.
Although Sante had successfully owned a business at one point, he began using substances to cope. “I used them to keep up with myself, to keep up with work. I was trying to keep my body going.”
Eventually, his health declined, and he suffered two strokes. After a hospital stay and time in rehab, he had nowhere to go. That’s when Sante experienced homelessness for the first time. “I didn’t care about my life anymore.” He had almost given up on himself, but then he came to the Allentown Rescue Mission.
“Before I got here, I was homeless. Now, my mind is straight. I don’t think about drugs anymore – I don’t need them.”
From the moment he arrived, Sante felt welcome. He enjoyed working along with others in the Transformation Program, helping with daily tasks like washing dishes and cleaning the chapel.
Sante says what’s impacted him the most here is Bible study. He’s now building a relationship with God and finds comfort in exploring scripture and learning more each day.
Today, Sante is excited about getting his own place to live and starting a new business. “I like to cook. I would like to open a food truck.”
Your gifts are bearing fruit in the lives of men like Sante. Now, his heart is full of hope this fall, thanks to your kindness! “I’m thankful for the Allentown Rescue Mission because I’m not on the street out there – I’m alive. I appreciate them a lot.”