They're accepting me with open arms.

A billboard started our journey with Derek. When he saw a doctor and people featured from Places for People (PFP) on a billboard, he decided to check it out and see what they were talking about.  

At the time, Derek was living in a tent by the river, in active addiction (which we formally call substance use disorder), in a relationship with someone that was also using, and didn’t have much of a support system to lean on. He lost contact with his kids in the 90’s and hadn’t been in touch with his mother or grandmother for years.  

From a young age, he was introduced to violence and what it takes to survive. He recalls being shot twice and stabbed in the neck in his teens. These are just a few reasons why he feels so grateful to be here today. He gave us the impression that he didn’t know if he’d make it this far. But he has persevered.  

Derek got out of prison over three and a half years ago and was in a habit of using crack and fentanyl until he got tired of them and turned to other drugs. Doing what he wanted whenever he wanted were some of the things that he knew really drove a wedge between Derek and his family. They did not agree with the way he was living.  

When Derek walked through our doors after seeing our billboard, he was helped by a staff member named Sarah. He still remembers that it was her first day too and that they agreed that they would work this out together. He emphasized that she was a really good person. Derek started coming to PFP daily.  

He was eager to find housing but ended up finding a lot of other reasons to stay engaged. He was able to do laundry here, get bus tickets, and more. Despite going through a period of being disengaged, he found his way back to us when one of the members of his team, Katie, found him and offered her support. He was at a point where he was ready to make a change, especially after that conversation. He still carries the advice that she gave him after talking about his goals. She said that he needed to take the steps to get him to where he wanted to go. Simple. Yet impactful.  

He cut off his relationship with the woman he was seeing, as she didn’t support the new future he wanted. Ever since, he’s been taking his steps. He’s completed housing programs and graduated in his recovery. He’s focused on a better life. To him, it’s not just about staying sober anymore (he has that conquered), it’s about living a fulfilling life in recovery.  

“Things are looking up in my life,” Derek proudly exclaims. He’s opened up his own bank account, got his first credit card, is working on his credit score, bought his own moped, and is still going to classes even though he’s graduated. He now spends time in those classes helping and talking to people that were once in his shoes. Derek says that he finds strength in this. He knows all too well that when you hear another person’s story, it can build you up to know that better is possible for you too.  

While Derek is proud to help strangers, he’s also out to be a good role model for his family. That’s right. His family. He has relationships with his mom, grandmother, children, and even grandchildren today. He’s honest about what he’s been through. He wants them to know that they are strong and can do anything they set their mind to.  

Hearing Derek talking about the opportunity to reconnect with his children and meet his grandchildren in Mississippi will completely uplift your day. He talks about introducing himself to his grandkids as their “Papa” and they made him chuckle when they didn’t seem surprised because he looks so much like their dad.  

We were overwhelmed with emotions that Derek said, “They’re [his children and grandchildren] accepting me with open arms. They want me to move back down there with them. Nothing could turn me back now.” Right then, we knew this was probably the best news he could have ever received. He was quick to say that he’s going to make that happen – the chance to be reunited for good.  

He has big goals for what’s next for him, and we know that with his determination, he’s going to accomplish everything he sets his mind to and more. We are so proud of how far he’s come, and we can’t wait to continue to see him make major moves (both literally and figuratively).  

Great work, Derek! We are cheering for you!