Bearing a life-long burden of trauma and guilt, Timothy* came to Union Rescue Mission as a last resort. You would never know it today, but this stable, confident man was once a victim of horrific sexual abuse. From the age of 5, he suffered at the hand of a cruel stepfather. Child abusers always threaten their victims with frightening revenge if they tell. That’s why Timothy kept his shame a secret from everyone.

He was 12 years old when he finally divulged his disgrace to his mother. The next morning, she did not wake up. The paramedics arrived too late to revive her from the overdose of pills she took.

“Even today I still believe it’s my fault that my mother is dead,” admits Timothy.

The loneliness, guilt and cruelty of his childhood were more than he could face sober. The pain drove him into a life of drug abuse and crime.

Timothy came to Union Rescue Mission for food and shelter -- but received a whole new life. “You can feel God all through this place,” says this thankful man. “Like one big family.” A loving family and new start were what Timothy needed most of all.

To show his gratitude, Timothy has chosen a job not many people would do -- he helps men right off the street with their hygiene needs. He preaches the Gospel of love and grace through his words and action.

It takes help from friends like you to provide life-transforming opportunities to help hurting, homeless people like Timothy. “Without you,” he tells our donors, “there would be no me.”

*Name changed to protect his privacy.