Barbara Comito, former marketing director
2 min read
Honoring Lives Changed
The 2025 Life Recovery commencees have journeyed through deep valleys of struggle and hardship. Yet, with resilience and grace, they have emerged...
Robert Lewis turned to drugs and alcohol partly in response to frustrations in the work place.
“My addiction came from always trying to be a workaholic,” Robert said. After overworking in hopes of promotions that never came, Robert felt he deserved to escape. “When I would eventually get off work, it was my time to play.”
Anger also caused Robert trouble in the workplace. “I lost a job when I was 21…and was court ordered to take anger management.” Robert saw the information as irrelevant to him and never applied it.
The anger, absence of boundaries, and addiction eventually brought Robert to the Union Gospel Mission.
Now in the fourth phase of the Men’s Recovery program, Robert is doing his business practicum with Integrity Remodeling, getting real world work experience.
“I love Integrity Remodeling. They are a great Christian company.” Robert still encounters frustrations that would have set him off in the past, but he is learning self-control. He recognizes that blowing up won’t solve anything and could definitely make things worse.
“I have God in my heart where I can look and say, OK, it was an event that happened and I can learn from it,” Robert said. “It isn’t something I need to drink or do drugs about. It isn’t worth tearing myself up.”
Robert admitted he still has fears. He used to make the wrong decision even when he knew the right one, and he is scared he might do that again. Fear, however, doesn’t need to stand in the way of growth. Risk, Robert has learned, is part of life.
“I can be a positive Christian male, and I have the confidence now to push forward; but I believe my fear is a positive fear. It keeps me sober.”
~ Elisabeth Roginski, UGM staff writer intern
4 min read
Embracing Grace
Chrystin struggled with alcoholism for sixteen years before entering UGM’s recovery program. “I felt so defeated and was lying in bed, drinking, just...
3 min read
Finding Opportunity, Finding Something Lasting
At Union Gospel Mission, we understand that meeting urgent needs—food, shelter, medical care, and job training—is just the beginning. These are the...
I Was in Denial, and You Showed Me the Truth
Union Gospel Mission : January 1, 2014
Recovery is impossible... if you don’t believe you have a problem if you refuse to look at the problem if you blame someone else for the problem or ...
John Goes to Work
Union Gospel Mission : January 1, 2012
John Willoughby was surprised when Vocational Director Tiffany Riddle suggested an office job for his practicum experience. “I’ve never been an...
Derek at the Davenport
Union Gospel Mission : January 1, 2012
Work ethic has never been Derek's problem. "I've worked since I was 12." Before he came to the Mission, he was working on the natural gas pipeline....