Paul’s story of triumph over adversity with the help of LIFT serves as a reminder of how important our mission is. From an early age, outside forces hindered Paul’s path to success. Dealing with racism in his community and problems at home, Paul felt trapped in a situation he couldn’t change. Peer pressure lead him to him begin drinking as a teenager, as it gave him more than just a buzz–it offered him an escape from his harsh reality.
His drinking quickly put him on a path that led to incarceration and substance abuse. With a warped sense of self, Paul felt there was no escape from his addiction. It took years for him to realize that he did matter and could overcome this lifestyle.
“I believe that LIFT was a turning point for me and my life. LIFT was able to hear my story and embrace me. It lessened the challenges for me finding housing and getting involved in the community.”
With LIFT’s help, Paul was able to overcome the challenges of his addiction; securing affordable housing and setting himself on a path to success. Now that he has his own space he’s able to let his creative energy flow, study, and purse the creative things that he’s always wanted to do. Paul now attends college and is activate in community programs where he works to make a difference in other people’s lives.
“LIFT has helped me find and discover my potential in ways that I could not ever imagine. So it’s the beginning of a new way of life for me. It’s the beginning of a new Paul.”