Brandon

The Bridge saves lives. It really is a program unlike all the others. 

It started when I was seventeen years old. I was dealing with a lot of anxiety and depression at that point. I was still affected by witnessing a traumatic event as a child. I tried to deal with it on my own by using pills, which lead to using heroin. I went into the Bridge for the first time when I was twenty-one years old. I left only four months in and went right back to what I was doing. I got into trouble later on and tried another program, which didn’t help. Throughout it all, I didn’t find myself quite ready – to quit my addiction nor to commit to God. I really to be dragged through the mud a little more before I was ready. 

That moment ended up being when I turned twenty-six years old – a bit over a year ago. I reached a point where I wanted my life back. I wanted to enjoy life. That’s when I went to the Bridge. 

I was raised in the church. I was baptized at a very young age, but I never found myself committed or really even interested in it. So, in my first visit to the Bridge, I wasn’t into the program. I wasn’t really reading my Bible at first. I wasn’t as engaged. Now, though, there’s a huge difference. This second time around, I was reading the Bible and trying to get a better understanding of what I was reading. There was even a class that they offered – urban ministry – that I would take every morning – an actual college course. It really went in-depth and helped you understand God from a new perspective. 

It was truly a blessing to be at the Bridge. My experience was great, and the guys I met here were great. Everything and everyone just made my time there very manageable and enjoyable. Every time we see each other, there are always smiles and laughs. Everyone here has been through the same ups and downs as I have. It helped me to be able to relate on the same level. 

Now, I can focus on being present. I’m able to do things with my family, go on vacation, and so on, all without worrying about being sick or going to get drugs. I get to wake up every morning and not worry about those things anymore.