Video Success Stories
The incredibly talented individuals over at MindWorks MultiMedia have been helping us to tell the stories of some of the wonderful people we have had the privilege of helping here at Urban Ministries of Durham.
November 5, 2007
October 20, 2007
“Corwin” – Clean, Employed, and Reconnected with His Kids
Please give a shout of joy for “Corwin”! Within days of his graduation from the HOPE Recovery Program, a judge granted him visiting rights to his children whom he had not seen for nearly a year. “Staying clean was a condition of my visitation,” Corwin said, “and getting clean was what UMD gave as a gift to me.” “I know that I have to keep working to stay clean, but I believe that if I keep working the program, I can do it. Yes, I’ve “graduated” from the residential part of the program – but I’m staying with the program for life. I have to. And I want to.”
Corwin discovered that sticking with the program also has other benefits. On the same day he received permission to visit his kids, he also got a job lead from another HOPE graduate. Soon enough, that lead turned into a real job – working in security at a local mall. Corwin is grateful. Corwin is also busy, but he made time to volunteer a full day as an escort and tour guide in September when UMD was interviewing candidates for the Program Director position. “It’s the least I can do,” said Corwin. “I’m happy to show people around, and I can’t help but talk their ears off about the good that’s happened to me at UMD.”
– posted by Phil Marsosudiro, UMD volunteer
“Alice” – Once Again a Mother to Her Kids
Three years ago, “Alice” was addicted to cocaine and prostitution. She had lost her dignity and had given up ever being a good mother. “Cocaine is a drug you can’t get enough of,” she says. “It’ll take everything you’ve got. The longer I was on it, my addiction got progressively worse. It caused me to be homeless. I even lost myself, my self-respect.”
Eventually, Alice lost custody of her daughters: Emily, 10; Laura, 7, and Kimberly, 4. She made her way to our Community Shelter, enrolled in Durham’s family drug court, volunteered in our clothing closet, and began the process of rebuilding her life. “I didn’t want to live like that any more,” exclaimed Alice. “I came to a point where I wanted help.”
The following summer Alice graduated from the family drug court, regained custody of her daughters, and re-established a loving home. Joyfully, she tells her story. She wants you to know it too! Alice is still a very active volunteer in our clothing closet. Each week she comes with her big smile and spirit to welcome volunteers and clients to Urban Ministries of Durham. Often her little daughter, Kimberly, accompanies her, and you can see that the reunion of this mother with her children has been a blessing. Those who worked with Alice and her children know that marvelous things can happen with hope and hard work.
–posted by Lloyd Schmeidler, Executive Director