At 34 years old, Cody’s life today is almost unrecognizable from the one he lived not too long ago. A proud father, a dedicated employee, and a manager at City Glass in Colorado Springs, Cody has not only rebuilt his life — he’s building a legacy.

But getting here wasn’t easy.

“God is 100 percent at play in my story today,” Cody says. “The way that I talk, the way that I walk, the things I think about … they’ve all changed drastically.”

Cody’s battle with addiction began when he began drinking at age 14. When he was 15, he graduated to methamphetamine.

After high school, as his former classmates were settling into college life, Cody tried heroin for the first time.

“It was like ‘boom,’ and my addiction really started to spiral,” he said.“ Heroin numbs you from any physical or emotional pain — and that’s what attracted me to it. I just didn’t want to feel anything.”

Although he’d spent years in active addiction, which came with homelessness, hunger, and plenty of arrests, heroin took hold in a new and terrifying way. His daily habit was costly, forcing him to exploit family members, and overdoses were not uncommon.

“My grandma has always been there for me … and that’s a family member I put through a lot,” he said. “It’s hard to wrap my head around some of the decisions I made when I was in active addiction.”

Like many who come through the Mission's doors, Cody was running out of options. Facing serious legal consequences, prison seemed inevitable.

“My life was 100-percent dysfunctional. I wasn’t working, wasn’t even looking for a job. I was just doing what I had to do on a daily basis to get my next fix.”

But then, something unexpected happened.

After his last arrest in 2022, Cody was brought before a judge who gave him the option to do jail time or attend Springs Rescue Mission’s residential addiction recovery program. He remembered his father, a fellow graduate of the program, who, for years, had encouraged him to seek help at SRM.

“It’s my belief that there was divine intervention in that courtroom, ”Cody said. “There's no reason I shouldn't have gone to prison. But the judge looked at me and she asked me, ‘If I gave you this chance, are you going to take this seriously?’ And I said, ‘yes,’ — and off to the Mission I went.”

Cody followed his father’s footsteps to the open doors of Springs Rescue Mission, where he encountered something that had been missing for a long time: the care and support of a community who loved him.

“I was surrounded by people that I could tell actually cared,” he said. “I wasn't just another number. I wasn't just another check.”

Recovery is not only about sobriety — it’s about restoration. And one of the most powerful parts of Cody’s story is the reunion with his 14-year-old son Chaz, who had lived with his grandmother since he was a small child.

“There was a point when he was a baby that I had him in my life, and then… he wasn’t,” Cody said. “When I was at the Mission, that’s when I got back in contact. … Then about six months after I graduated, he came back to live with me. Ever since then, it’s been pretty good.”

Parenthood, Cody admits, is a learning process. But each day, he strivesto be better than the day before.

“My everyday goal is to try to do my best, and at least try to do better than I did yesterday,” he said. “I’m definitely learning a lot about parenting and being a dad.”

Today, Cody has full custody of Chaz and works at the Colorado Springs-based company City Glass, where in just two years he has risen to the role of shop manager and lead fabricator. Despite his hard work and commitment, Cody says it’s the “renewing of the mind” that has made all the difference.

“God gets 100 percent of the glory in my story,” he said. “One hundred percent.”

Cody is hopeful about the future. He says he’d like to find better housing for him and his son, eventually move into a project management position at work, and continue to rebuild the relationships that suffered during his days of addiction.

“I burned a lot of bridges throughout my addiction, but I do feel like I’ve mended most of those relationships,” he said. “My family is extremely happy for me and happy to see where I’m at today.”

Above all else, Cody said he wants to continue trusting God with his life.

When he talks about his faith, Cody calls to mind the Biblical story of the prodigal son: a parable about a young man who returns home in shame after squandering his inheritance and hitting rock bottom, only to be welcomed with open arms by a father who loves him just the same — a father who only wants to lavish his love upon the son.

“Something that really hits home for me — it’s actually on my graduation certificate from SRM — is Luke 19:10,” Cody said. “It says, ‘For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.’ I feel like the Lord found me.”

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You Can Help More Stories Like Cody’s Become Possible

Cody’s journey of recovery and redemption wouldn’t have been possible without the love, support, and programs offered at Springs Rescue Mission. When you give, volunteer, or pray, you become part of the transformation. Together, we can continue to help people like Cody reclaim their lives — and their futures — to impact generations.

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