Voices of Hope – Matt C.

“Before coming to Operation New Hope, I was homeless, unemployed, and addicted to drugs. I knew I needed help, but I wasn’t sure where to turn. My daughter’s mom Kate enrolled in the Ready4Work program and told me it was helping her change her life, so I signed up the very next week. And I can’t believe how quick my turn-around has been!

The Ready4Work program was great. I’ve had jobs in the past, but this program really helped me get my mind back focused on being responsible and getting to work. In addition to Career Development Training and Case Management support, I received warehouse and forklift training and got to work right away working at Uptown Kitchen. I’ve been able to save money and get a vehicle. I am now able to help take care of my family.

The program also helped me with transitional housing. I was placed in a sober living home, and it has been a huge help! Seeing people catch on made me feel like I could do it to… and I finally am now. I have been sober for over 11 months – the longest time ever in my life. I am now the night manager for our sober living home, and I’m able to help others, which is what it’s all about.

Honestly, I have been so surprised about how fast my life has changed so far. If you asked me a year ago what I would be doing now, I would have never envisioned this. I’m amazed at how quickly it all came together. My whole family has been changed by Operation New Hope. Our daughter is back living with her mom Kate, and I have been able to visit them several times. Being back with my daughter means the world to me. She has been able to see the changes both her mom and I have been able to make because of the Ready4Work program, and I know she is really proud of us. Life is all around good, and I am so thankful.“