Thomas felt overwhelmed his first night at Springs Rescue Mission.

“I wasn’t an experienced homeless person,” he said. “I didn’t know how to do this.”

But that was the night Thomas started his journey out of homelessness and addiction. At SRM, he attended 12-step meetings and surrounded himself with a community that helped him stay clean. He was finally in a place where transformation seemed possible.

“I knew this was a place I could get help, so I put down the booze and got to work,” he said. “I made my mind up that I was getting out of here.”

Thomas became a model guest. He did laundry for other homeless men and women as a member of Work Engagement. Today, he completes the men’s Intensive Outpatient Program for addiction recovery.

“I’ve felt so good about myself,” he said. “I show up on time, I never miss a day. I’m going to complete the program and see where life takes me.”

Thomas says that he would one day like to work for the Mission — to help others like himself.

“I either ended up here by chance or I’m here for a reason, and I choose to believe I have a purpose,” he said. “I love the Mission and I want to stay involved with this place. It gives me purpose.”