After a successful corporate restaurant management career ended after 30 years, I fell into depression and heavy alcoholism. My whole world as I knew and everyone I cared about was falling apart and away. In October 2019 my common law wife had asked me to leave the house and not come back because of my drinking. My then middle school aged son at the time, stepped up and started making phone calls to relatives in attempts to find a place for me to live. Only one invited me into her home. My mom. She was approaching 90 years old and living alone in Fort Morgan.

I was hesitant to make that move because of my pride, but when I actually thought about the sobering fact that I was going to be homeless, I accepted the offer. I continued to drink until January 2020, I was tired of my life and really wanted a change. I kneeled down on my knees and asked God for a miracle of healing from alcoholism. It happened the next day and I knew it was a prayer answered.

One day in May 2020, I was walking to Walgreens on my usual route going by Rising Up, and was moved with a feeling of compassion for others, so I stopped and went into the front desk, and inquired if they needed volunteers. After interviewing with Pam, I was going to start that following week. I was excited!

I was introduced to the pantry, as it was during Covid, we were preparing boxes and delivering them to cars as they drove up, I immediately liked it, it was productive for my mind and I got to chat with people who were broken as I once was and share my story and build relationships.

In October 2020 Pam introduced me to the work component program and offered me employment as a trainer. I had a couple of individuals that we worked side by side within the pantry, stocking, preparing boxes, interacting with clients, and clean up. I felt the program was successful because, it was about building trust, confidence and accountability in a professional but fun environment.

After leaving Rising Up and Fort Morgan, I had learned that one individual was doing extremely well with the training and skills he learned from the program. I believe the work component program is extremely successful for individuals that put the work into it and have the desire to rise up.

My experience at Rising Up has inspired me to accept the position of Executive Director at a food pantry in Greeley Co, and I currently serve as a board member for Rising Up.