Antwan’s Story

I was born in New Jersey and grew up with just me and my mom. My mom had me when she was 15. She was a young mom facing addiction, which meant my childhood wasn’t easy. Whatever she saw, I saw. Whatever she did, I did. And that included the drugs she was using. I used to fuss at her all the time about drinking and doing drugs. But this eventually led to my addiction. I was born addicted to drugs, and began using drugs and alcohol at the age of 8 – everything from alcohol to cocaine and heroin. I basically did it to find out why she was choosing the drugs over me.

When I was 15 years old, I moved to North Carolina, right outside of Charlotte, and lived with my grandmother. She took care of me, but my addictions to alcohol and marijuana continued.

Right out of high school, I joined the Navy. I didn’t want to go to college, but needed to do something. In the Navy, I was sent overseas twice, but my alcohol addiction became worse. I was discharged after a few DUIs.

I made a promise to myself I would quit drinking and using drugs. It was bringing destruction to my life. In 2002, I moved to Atlanta to get clean. On a whim, I arrived at Atlanta Mission (at the time, at their shelter called The Carpenter’s House) and they helped me get clean. 

I’ve now been clean for 19 years. 

A few years later, my grandmother got sick so I went back to North Carolina to be with her. She eventually passed away. While in North Carolina, I met my girlfriend and we had two kids together. I was looking for a way to get money to take care of them. I figured if I wasn’t using drugs anymore, I could sell it to make money – that was the devil talking. This led to another destructive lifestyle. 

I was constantly running from the devil. I needed to get out.

In 2020, I moved back to Atlanta. I knew I wanted to get back to Atlanta eventually, and enjoyed my time at Atlanta Mission. As a Christian shelter that had helped change my life once, I knew it would be a safe space for me, and a chance to get away from the drugs and alcohol lifestyle. When I arrived, I was just looking for shelter/housing. But I was encouraged to go through the Make Progress stage of the Transformation Model. I’m thankful for that. I’ve learned so much about myself and my characteristics through that program.

From Make Progress, I went through the Next Steps vocational program with Atlanta Mission, and just recently got a new job. I have plans to begin working and saving up while living in housing with Atlanta Mission. I hope to get my own place soon so my kids can come to visit me.

My life has changed for the better, especially in the last 9 months. My kids saved my life and they don’t even know it.

For the donors that give to Atlanta Mission, this is a great organization. People’s lives are changed. Without this place, I’d be in jail or dead.