Finding Home After 55 Years: Jeff’s Story

When Jeff first came across Caring Ministries, he was nearly 50 years old. He had spent years struggling through homelessness and addiction. “I always knew that I had issues,” Jeff says. “I never really knew how bad they were.”

Jeff identifies as an alcoholic, and that hardship is part of the reason he spent several years without stable housing. Although he stopped drinking in 2014, deeper wounds remained unaddressed. He overcame his addiction to alcohol which made him believe that his sobriety meant he was “okay.” But God had more healing in store for Jeff beyond sobriety.

He was brought up in a home impacted by addiction and mental illness, Jeff grew up without a sense of safety, stability or unconditional love. “My mom was an addict—she loved prescription drugs,” Jeff explains. “She also had a bunch of mental illness. My dad would just let her do whatever she wanted, say whatever she wanted.”

In 2018, through his involvement in another ministry, Jeff learned about Caring when a group of volunteers came to serve. “That’s how I got introduced,” he says. “And when it was time for me to leave the ministry I was in, Caring had a spot, so I came.”

What stood out most, however, was how Caring responded during Jeff’s most difficult seasons. “I was a handful for the first four, four and a half years I was here,” he admits. “I caused more chaos than I did anything else.”

Jeff openly shares that he was often defensive, angry and dishonest about what he was going through. At times, he even spoke poorly about leadership after meetings. But instead of being dismissed or pushed out, Jeff experienced patience and consistency, again and again.

“If it wasn’t for the patience, the love, the understanding that I got at Caring,” he says, “I certainly wouldn’t be where I’m at today.”

What stood out most, however, was how Caring responded during Jeff’s most difficult seasons. “I was a handful for the first four, four and a half years I was here,” he admits. “I caused more chaos than I did anything else.”

Grace That Didn’t Give Up

Jeff’s experience with Caring Ministries was uniquely different that what he went through with the other ministries he had previously been involved in.

“All of those ministries were conditional,” he explains. At Caring, grace wasn’t something Jeff had to earn. Even when he struggled, he was told the same thing, over and over: “Josh would always tell me, ‘Hey, I love you. This is your home. We’re not going to kick you out.’”

Those words stayed with him.

“For the first time in my life” Jeff says, “I had a home. I had a place that was safe. I had a place that was secure. And I had people who love me.”  That sense of belonging changed everything. It allowed Jeff to stay the course even when growth felt uncomfortable which eventually led to healing.

A Deeper Faith and New Purpose

Through Caring, Jeff’s faith also grew in incredible ways. He did not have a hard time understanding the need for a Savior. What was harder to grasp, given his upbringing was God’s love as a Father.

“What’s changed now is that love aspect from God himself,” Jeff shares. “I never really understood the father part of it until Caring.” By experiencing consistent love and compassion through others, Jeff gained a fuller understanding of his faith and a glimpse into the Father’s love for him.

“I have a much better understanding of the complete Trinity,” he says, “not just the parts that were easy for me to understand.”