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“I'm originally from New Orleans and was on drugs for over 15 years. In 2001 I came to the Acadiana Outreach Center and graduated from the program in 2002. Here I was able to learn how to live a better life. I am now living in my own home and have a great job. I thank God everyday for saving a wretch like me. In between working and getting my family back, I am grateful to stay connected sing in THE Voices of Recovery Choir, which I'm still a part of 8 years later.“
–Elaine
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“Before coming to Acadiana Outreach I spent 18 years of my life in a deep, dark pit. I struggled with addiction and my family washed their hands of me. Now, the Acadiana Outreach Center has completely transformed my life. They taught me the importance of self-discipline and respect. Today I am a sober and my family supports me. I am a productive member of society and am excited to be starting college this fall. Thank you Acadiana Outreach Center!”
-Shirley
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“I was involved with drugs and alcohol and eventually ended up on the streets. I asked God for guidance and He directed me to The Outreach Center. Now I am blessed with a full time job, a home of my own, and a new perspective on life.”
–Preston
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"Before coming to the Outreach Center my life took an unexpected turn when my son committed suicide. Grieving, I turned to drugs and alcohol to ease the pain. I arrived as an alcoholic and an addict, full of shame and guilt, lost and alone. I needed someone to understand my life was at a dead end. The counselors and staff treated me with the utmost respect. They loved me until I could learn to love myself. Today my life is worth living."
-Edith
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"Drugs and alcohol brought me down to nothing at a young age. When I hit bottom, I was homeless and my family had shut me out of their life because of my addiction. I felt that I had no purpose in life. Now I have learned that there's life without drugs. Today I feel happy and my life has purpose. My family is proud of my new life and my dreams are to be successful in life with my own construction business, and have a supportive family of my own."
-Blake
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"After relapsing for the ninth time I knew I couldn't be helped. The Outreach Center was the last resort. With their help, I am proud to say that I am sober today."
–Tess
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"Before coming to the Outreach Center I lived a life of abuse. Beaten by my mother for most of my childhood, I had little confidence. By high school, I was a star football player, but could barely read or write. Longing to fit in, I began hanging out with the wrong crowd which led me to dealing drugs. My life hit rock bottom when I was beaten and left for dead on the side of the interstate. At the Outreach Center I learned who Arthur was. Now, I have hope for the future."
-Arthur
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“Since I've been here, I've learned a lot about Jimmie and his purpose in life and I have a lot of joy in my life. I'm very into athletics. I played professional baseball in the St. Louis Cardinals organization for six years and my dream is to go back to coaching, teaching kids of all ages in athletics and get my licenses back to become a LHSAA certified official.”
-Jimmie, age 47
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“For most of my life I was seeking approval and acceptance in the wrong places. Like so many others out there, I needed help but didn’t know how to ask for it. It was God’s love that turned my life around; He brought me to Outreach Center. They helped me change the way I think about myself and gave me the time, direction, and support I needed to work on fi nding grace, forgiveness, peace, and joy.”
–Debilyn
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“When I arrived I felt frightened, lonely and sad. I felt very little dignity and I carried around a lot of shame and guilt about the condition my life was in. I was welcomed immediately and was helped to feel secure about being here. Nine months later, I have my dignity back and I enjoy my life today. I will leave here free indeed--free from the debts I had, but most of all, free from my old destructive behavior patterns. I've relocated my family to Lafayette and we are working towards our goal of owning a home.”
-Richard, age 40
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"Before coming to the Outreach Center, my addiction made me a ward of my family. They had to put up with so much. Today, I'm slowly regaining their trust. I have a closer relationship with God. Now I have more compassion for others, more love and more wisdom. Not because of age, but because I'm living a more positive way. I have a great job at a local nursery. I love working wit my hands outdoors in nature and helping things grow."
–Carl
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"The love at the center is unmeasurable. No matter what I said or did, they continued to help me and encourage me. They never gave up on me--even on my worst days. I am moving into my own apartment, I have money in the bank, I have a car (paid for!) and I have a new outlook on life. I can look at myself in the mirror and be proud today. I plan to go to college next year and I want to start sponsoring girls my age so I can show them that young people can get sober too and have a wonderful life!”
-Amber, age 20
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"I never thought I would be homeless, but after my husband died, my three children and I were frigtened and living on the streets. We had nowhere to turn. Then we found shelter an the Outreach Center and tey helped me get back on my feet. My spiritual counselor took my family under his wing. When I wanted to give up, I could call him at any hour and he encouraged my eart, It makes all the difference in one's life to know that someone truly cares. I am happy now to have my own home for my children and my hope for the future is to start a day care business."
–Stephanie
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"Today with the help of the Outreach Center, my self-esteem is a lot higher. I’ve learned to set goals that I can accomplish, and today, I feel good about who I am. I’ve learned a lot of valuable skills that I can use in my life and to be more unselfish and help other people without expecting anything in return. Acadiana Outreach Center taught me structure, and most of all, how to actually develop a spiritual relationship with God and humble myself."
-Ryan D.
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"My life was in pieces from addiction and I needed help putting the pieces back together. The Outreach Center taight me to take one day at a time and to love myself everyday. Today I feel like the possibilities are endlesss. My dream is to become a successful artist and work with oters in recovery to express their feelings through art. I've learned that all you have to do is just stop and live life on life's terms and all the dreams you have will come true." –Rachel |
