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On Friday, March 1st, former Oliver Gospel Executive Director Travis McNeal stepped down from his position to pursue new opportunities. McNeal, who originally joined the Mission in 2020, will continue to work with Oliver Gospel’s Board of Directors in a supportive and consulting role as the Mission seeks its next leader. Oliver Gospel’s Board of Directors unanimously approved Dr. Marlo Brayboy to serve as the Mission’s Interim Executive Director while the search for a replacement is conducted. Marlo currently serves as the Mission’s Director of Quality and Innovation, overseeing programs at the Men’s Center and Toby’s Place, and he brings over 15 years of military and academic leadership to the position.

Aubrey became homeless at an early age. Oliver Gospel gave her the opportunity she needed to turn her life around. Aubrey experienced a difficult childhood. She came from a big family, and the abuse she endured from her parents left her feeling like she wasn't allowed to be the person she wanted to be. "All I knew was to be yelled at, or to be treated differently, or to get hit. As I got older, I would always try to stay away from home." Her situation reached a breaking point when she was kicked out of the house at the age of 16. Aubrey had to finish high school on her own while experiencing homelessness. Everyday tasks, like finding food, a place to sleep, and a ride to school, became challenging. During this time, Aubrey got caught up in the wrong crowd and began using drugs. She became pregnant at a young age, and after having the baby, she fell back into addictive habits. Struggling to provide for her child while dealing with addiction took it's toll on Aubrey. She knew she needed to be a better mother, and the environment she was in was no place for a child. "I decided that I couldn’t do it anymore. Who was going to take care of the baby? I went to rehab to get help." Aubrey worked hard to recover from her addiction at a rehab facility, and it was there that she heard about Toby's Place, Oliver Gospel's home for women and children experiencing homelessness. An uplifting, supportive, and Christ-centered community was something that Aubrey had never experienced, but she knew it was what she needed. She enrolled at Toby's Place upon her completion of rehab, where her and her child were welcomed with open arms. "I started to love Toby's Place more and more every day. They are really loving and they really do care for you... They can help push you to the next step in your life that you need to take." Aubrey began learning important lessons about setting boundaries and forming positive relationships. Counseling services helped her heal from trauma she experienced as a child. She learned reliable work habits, and she even wrote a resume for the first time in her life. The most important thing Aubrey found at Toby's Place was her passion for the Lord. She attends church services weekly, participates in daily devotion, and gave her life to Christ by being baptized earlier this year. "Putting God in the center of my life really helped me heal from a lot of my trauma." Today, Aubrey is enjoying sobriety and the peace that comes with it. She has found full-time employment to save for housing of her own, and the majority of her free-time is spent caring for and raising her child. Once she finds housing, she would like to go back to school to studying nursing. "I’ve been homeless since I was 16, and now I’m on my way to having my own place and my own life." Aubrey is filled with hope thanks to the incredible generosity and support from donors like you! Your gift today will show the power of Christ's love to even more neighbors in need throughout the Midlands. Watch Aubrey's story here:

As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, we're counting down the days by showing the ways your gifts are changing lives right here in the Midlands. On the first day of Christmas, I received a fresh, hot meal! Overnight guests at Oliver Gospel receive a nutritious breakfast and dinner, while also participating in evening Chapel services and having access to our community resources. On the second day of Christmas, I was given a safe place to sleep! In addition to the beds at our Men's Center and Toby's Place, Oliver Gospel clears out our dining hall and fills it with extra beds to help even more neighbors in need when the temperature drops below freezing. On the third day of Christmas, I received a winter coat! Thanks to our Thrift Store and community relationships, our guests regularly receive new, high-quality clothing to help them feel their best. Each graduate of Oliver Gospel's program receives a voucher from our Thrift Store to fill their new home with items! On the fourth day of Christmas, I received a winter care package! Care packages are an easy and efficient way to help our neighbors experiencing homelessness. Fill a gallon-sized bag with essential toiletry items like soap, toothpaste, or deodorant, then bring it by the Mission, where we will distribute them to those in need who come to our doors. On the fifth day of Christmas, I received 5 Daily Bus Passes! There is a common misconception that those experiencing homelessness are also unemployed. Many guests staying in Oliver Gospel's 30-Day Emergency Shelter attend jobs during the day. For those who enroll in our long-term programming, finding stable employment is required to complete program curriculum. Daily bus passes are an essential item our guests and residents need to assure they have a reliable method of transportation to get to work. On the sixth day of Christmas, I received counseling & therapy! Homelessness is a difficult experience, and many of those who find themselves homeless often come from broken or traumatic backgrounds. Our Mission strives to meet the holistic needs of everyone who comes through our doors, and attending counseling and therapy are critical steps to healing an entire individual and breaking old habits. On the seventh day of Christmas, I found a loving & spiritual family! A lack of positive community ties or relationships can play a critical factor in an individual experiencing homelessness. Oliver Gospel welcomes and uplifts everyone who comes through our doors. Whether our guests are connecting with staff, members of a church, community partners, or other residents, we want all of those we serve to know that they are not alone. On the eighth day of Christmas, I attended a new church! Oliver Gospel is motivated by our faith to serve as Christ would serve. Faith is incorporated into many aspects of our programming, and guests are constantly encouraged by the word of the Lord. Our residents attend church service weekly, and finding a home church following completion of programming is strongly encouraged. On the ninth day of Christmas, I received my driver's license! Some individuals experiencing homelessness do not have access to essential documents needed to function in society. Things like a driver's license, birth certificate, or a social security number are needed when applying for jobs, housing, or seeking healthcare. Oliver Gospel assists members of our programs in obtaining these items. On the tenth day of Christmas, I was hired at a new job! Job training is a key pillar of programming at Oliver Gospel. Our residents create or improve their resumes, learn to be a part of a team, and form reliable work habits. Thanks to our community relationships, many employers are eager to hire our residents once they complete the required curriculum. On the eleventh day of Christmas, I found a new home! Once a resident finds employment, they are required to save their income for safe and reliable housing. Program curriculum teaches sustainable spending habits, and our residents are encouraged to find a housing situation that surrounds themselves with a community of good influences. Program graduates are given a spending voucher at the Oliver Gospel Thrift Store, where they can shop for items to fill their new home. On the twelfth day of Christmas, I found hope for my future! By meeting the holistic needs of our residents and encouraging them through the power of Christ's love, Oliver Gospel strives to transform the lives of those experiencing homelessness in the Midlands for good. Your generosity and kindness make all of it possible. Thank you for showing our neighbors in need how much you care! Thank you for following Oliver Gospel's 12 Days of Christmas list!

Rupert was struggling to survive on a cold Christmas Eve. A stranger's act of kindness changed his life forever. From afar, Rupert seemed to be living a normal life. He had a good job and a reliable place to live. But when he got injured on the job, he began to struggle with drugs. “I hurt my back sandblasting. I went to a doctor, and he put me on pain pills. My back was hurting one morning before work, but I had just finished my prescription. I started feeling really sick later that day.” Rupert became dependent on his prescriptions, and he eventually began to take harder drugs to numb his pain. He struggled to hold a job, and his habit became more expensive. Soon, he was living on the streets and panhandling for money. God changed Rupert’s life forever on a cold Christmas Eve. A pedestrian noticed his foot was swollen, so she offered to drive him to the hospital for treatment. It was there that he agreed to get help from Oliver Gospel. “I knew if I went back out on the street, I probably wouldn’t have lived another six months.” Rupert was challenged by the structure of the Mission’s programming at first, but his confidence grew with time. He focused on his recovery classes and took pride in his work therapy assignments. “I was given a job in the laundry room, and that did more to help me than anything else. It was the first time in a long time that someone believed in me.” Rupert’s time at Oliver Gospel gave him the rest he needed to get back on his feet. Now, he has found full-time employment and is approaching a year of sobriety. “You’re going to get out of this what you put into it, and I decided to go all in.” This winter, YOU can help show neighbors just like Rupert how much you care for them. Your $26.04 donation provides 12 meals and 6 nights of shelter for men, women, and children experiencing homelessness in the Midlands. Watch Rupert's story here:

Columbia, S.C. - It’s as natural as turkey and dressing to want to be home for Thanksgiving. But many residents of Columbia don’t have a home to go to. Others have been estranged from their families and loved ones and risk spending the holiday hungry and alone. That’s why Oliver Gospel is asking for the community’s support of their annual Thanksgiving outreach. “Thanksgiving is a family holiday,” said Executive Director, Travis McNeal. “We consider homeless and needy people to be our family and will treat them as our honored guests.” This Thanksgiving day, the Mission will serve more than 200 meals to the homeless in their shelters, to residents of their long-term recovery programs, and to families and individuals from the community who struggle with daily essentials and don’t have the means for a special holiday meal. It costs the Mission $2.17 to provide one meal for someone who is hungry for food, family, fellowship and hope. With a gift of $10.85, the Mission can set a place for 5 hungry people at their Thanksgiving table. A donation of $26.04 will allow the Mission to provide food and other vital care for 12 people now and into the months ahead. “Through your outpouring of generosity and compassion, you can be ‘family’ for hurting men, women and children,” McNeal says to Oliver Gospel’s friends and partners – and others who may be seeking an opportunity to help their neighbors in need for the very first time. “You can let them know they haven’t been forgotten, and that means more to them than you can imagine.” Gifts can be made online at olivergospel.org or sent by mail to PO Box 7697, Columbia, SC 29202. Information on Oliver Gospel’s Thanksgiving preparations and their full range of year-round programs and services can be found online as well. About Oliver Gospel Mission: Oliver Gospel is a community-based mission that helps those experiencing homelessness, poverty, or addiction transform their lives through physical, spiritual, and relational support to lead full, healthy lives. Through our Men's Center, Toby's Place (center for women and children), and our social enterprises, we provide holistic rehabilitation, transitional housing, and career development, always aiming for permanent housing and a solid community for each person who comes through our doors. ###

The national week of awareness is designed to educate the public, draw attention to the problem of poverty, and build up a base of supporters. From November 12 through November 18, 2023, Oliver Gospel will recognize Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week to uplift those experiencing hunger and homelessness throughout the Midlands. Since 1888, Oliver Gospel has strived to care for and guide those in need from desperation to transformation. By providing meals, shelter, counseling, job-placement training, recovery services, and more, our Mission seeks to meet an individuals holistic needs and offer long-term solutions. Homelessness is a pressing issue sweeping across our community, state, country, and world. Here are the numbers in our area: Homelessness in the Midlands and South Carolina Over 103,000 individuals are living in poverty in Richland and Lexington Counties (source: US Census Bureau) Over 3,600 individuals experience literal homelessness on a single night in South Carolina (source: South Carolina Interagency Council on Homelessness) 52% of individuals experiencing homelessness in South Carolina reported receiving consistent income (source: South Carolina Interagency Council on Homelessness) 1 in 5 individuals experiencing homelessness in South Carolina have been homeless for over 12 months and suffer from a disability (source: South Carolina Interagency Council on Homelessness) Depending on where you live, the chances of seeing an individual experiencing homelessness when you go out of your house are high, especially in the Midlands. If you are approached by or encounter an individual experiencing homelessness, consider these tips and practices for having safe, positive, and encouraging interactions. Make A Difference Through Your Actions Show Respect: homelessness is stressful. By showing that you care, you decrease the likelihood of aggression and establish yourself as a trustworthy figure. Small actions, like looking the individual in the eye, go a long way. Show Empathy: recognize that people experiencing homelessness are not all the same. There are endless causes of homelessness, many come from traumatic backgrounds, and real solutions are often time consuming and difficult. Listen to what they have to say, and give a respectful reply. Refer To The Experts: Oliver Gospel and other agencies in our city are equipped to meet the most critical needs of our homeless community. There, trained staff can identify the best course of action to get them off the streets for good. We do not recommend directly giving an individual money. Rather, encourage them to pursue resources at the nearest homeless shelter. Volunteer: not only are you supporting the work of the organization, volunteering allows you to get to know the people in need. Understanding where people come from is key to helping others in our community. Many individuals experiencing homelessness love interacting with our volunteers because it is some of the only interaction they have during the week. Caring for those experiencing homelessness takes a coordinated network of organizations working together. Click here to view Oliver Gospel's referral list for other resources available in South Carolina. Our organization could not perform the work it does without the help of our supportive community. Your donation today sustains long-term, transformational care for each guest who walks though our doors.

Oliver Gospel's coffee social enterprise reaches thousands of new customers while raising money to support the Midlands homeless community. The Roastery, Oliver Gospel's coffee social enterprise, served as the official coffee vendor of the 2023 South Carolina State Fair. Fairgoers from across the state were treated to locally roasted coffee and learned more about Oliver Gospel's programming for individuals experiencing homelessness. In total, The Roastery sold over 2,700 cups and 300 bags of coffee throughout the 12-day event. Thanks to these generous customers, over 60 men, women, and children experiencing homelessness in the Midlands will be provided with one full month of meals, shelter, and resources at Oliver Gospel. Gabbee Bagby, The Roastery's Director of Operations, said that she was extremely grateful for the opportunity to connect with the community and inform customers of the impact their purchase was making on neighbors in need in the Midlands. "Within moments of hearing that statement, our community not only enjoyed their cup of coffee, but they donated additional funds because they wanted to be a part of Oliver Gospel's mission to transform lives through the power of Christ's love," Bagby said. The event created new opportunities for volunteers to get involved with the Mission. 60 individual volunteers helped The Roastery prepare and serve coffee, logging a total of 330 hours of service! Nancy Smith, President of the South Carolina State Fair, said that coffee from The Roastery was a great addition to pair with established vendors, and benefitting Oliver Gospel's cause made the partnership even sweeter. "I called this 'God moving in his mysterious ways' when he put us together, and now look where we are," Smith said. You can learn more about The Roastery or purchase your own coffee by visiting their website.

Janett experienced great loss on her journey through homelessness, but the community she discovered at Toby's Place let her know she was not alone. Janett enjoyed going to school growing up. She thrived in math and science, and her dream was to go to college and study nursing. Those plans changed when her mom passed away while Janett was only 16 years old. "I was sad, and I cried a lot. I felt like I was alone without my mom." Janett put her dream on hold and began working full-time, but she was laid off from her position. She became homeless shortly after, uncertain where to go next. While looking for work at a local library, Janett was referred to Toby's Place. There, she would be provided with the resources and knowledge to overcome her challenges, and she wouldn't have to do it alone. "I was committed to getting the program done, finding more work, and getting my life together." At Toby's Place, Janett found a supportive community who uplifted her as she found employment and rebuilt her trust in the world around her. Her faith grew tremendously, and she was baptized at a local church after accepting Christ into her life! Janett has since completed programming, found full-time employment, and now lives in her own permanent housing. Watch Janett's story here:

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Oliver Gospel is thrilled to announce the return of their highly anticipated 15th Annual Charity Classic, an event that combines the love of golf with the spirit of giving. Taking place on October 2, 2023 at Fort Jackson Golf Club, this year's tournament promises to be an unforgettable day on the green, all in support of our mission to transform the lives of those experiencing homelessness in our community. Participants can expect an exceptional golfing experience, complete with exciting on-course contests, raffle prizes, a delicious awards dinner, and opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals who share a passion for helping those in need. In addition to an enjoyable day of golf, all funds raised through this tournament will directly benefit Oliver Gospel and its vital programs. These programs provide addiction recovery, emergency shelter, nutritious meals, job training, counseling services, and more to individuals and families experiencing homelessness in our community. "Our 15th Annual Charity Classic is not just a golf tournament; it's an opportunity to make a real impact on the lives of those less fortunate in our community," said Travis McNeal, Executive Director of Oliver Gospel. Key details for the 15th Annual Charity Classic: Date: October 2, 2023 Time: 10:00 AM Check-in, 12:00 Shotgun Location: Fort Jackson Golf Club, 3652 Semmes Rd. Columbia, SC 29207 Registration: $1,000/team of 4 Includes: A team of 4 players for 18 holes of golf, cart rental, on-course contests, awards dinner, and a chance to win fantastic prizes. Visit olivergospel.org/charity-classic to register today! We encourage participants and supporters to use the hashtag #GolfForGood when sharing their tournament experiences on social media. Let's unite in spreading the message of hope and charity through golf! This year’s top sponsors are Hill Construction, NW White, Southeastern Freight Lines, Deloache Family Foundation, Inverter Mechanical Piping Solutions, and South Carolina Water Utilities. About Oliver Gospel Mission: Oliver Gospel is a community-based mission that helps those experiencing homelessness, poverty, or addiction transform their lives through physical, spiritual, and relational support to lead full, healthy lives. Through our Men's Center, Toby's Place (center for women and children), and our social enterprises, we provide holistic rehabilitation, transitional housing, and career development, always aiming for permanent housing and a solid community for each person who comes through our doors. ###

John Cromer wasn't looking for Oliver Gospel, but in God's perfect timing, he became an essential part of the Mission's programs. What started as a normal tour of Oliver Gospel with his church turned into a life-changing opportunity for John Cromer. The Mission's staff shared their excitement over a new position: the Life Coach. This person would walk alongside each resident on their journey of overcoming addiction or poverty, uplifting them every step of the way. On their way home, his senior pastor shared that he thought John would be the perfect fit for the job. He had a background helping people going through addiction. He prayed about it, applied, and was soon offered the job, ushering in a new era of care at Oliver Gospel. "We’re trying to make sure that they don’t just get clean, but they know how to sustain that lifestyle by depending on the relationship with Christ and depending on the fellowship of others." John continues to faithfully serve Oliver Gospel, forging strong relationships with hundreds of men who come through the Mission's door looking to build a better, brighter future. "Every single time there’s a guy here that begins to trust me to let me want to share their life, that is an honor for me. I love it when I feel that I’m beginning to be family with these guys." Watch John's story here:

"Our goal is to create an atmosphere of love through food." At Oliver Gospel, a meal is so much more than just something to eat. Our food provides hope for our guests and an opportunity to transform their lives. Behind every meal served at Oliver Gospel and Toby’s Place is a wonderful kitchen staff led by Geno Pickard and Penny Fletcher. I sat down with each of them to learn more about the incredible work they do for our organization. When did you start cooking? Geno: I cooked in Denny’s restaurant when I was a teenager. My dad was involved in Denny’s for over 40 years, so I followed in his footsteps. I was incarcerated for a while, which is a part of my testimony. I cooked in the kitchen and was on the kitchen staff while I was incarcerated. It really allowed me to learn and grow. It was my first experience with cooking for a mass amount of people. Penny: I started by going to culinary school 17 years ago. I always loved to cook, but I thought I needed a little bit of guidance and formal training. I started a catering company, and my customers were all coworkers, friends, and family. I have quite a variety of things I can do. I retired from the hospital in 2018, and I went to work for Lizard’s Thicket to get an idea of cooking for volume. Eventually, I applied for the job at Oliver Gospel. How did you get involved at Oliver Gospel? Geno: I used to manage a medical equipment company in four different states. It kept me on the road... I basically lived in and out of a hotel room. It was exciting initially, but living that way wears off quickly. I had a friend who was the former Food Service Manager here at Oliver Gospel. He invited me to come check it out. He said, “it’s probably more than what you think we do. If you like it, we can get you hired and you can climb up the ladder.” He introduced me to Oliver Gospel. I went through the interview process, and the rest is history. Penny: I saw an ad on their website. I had been a volunteer and donor. I was raised to give back. They put an ad out for food service at the women’s shelter... I started out here as an assistant and worked my way up to doing this full-time. What are some of your day-to-day responsibilities? Geno: I supervise and manage the kitchen staff at the Men’s Center and Toby’s Place. With that comes scheduling, interviewing, hiring, budgeting, handling all food donations that come from other places like other ministries, churches, restaurants, schools, grocery stores. It also entails networking. I reach out and meet people and I explain to them the benefit of donating to us. Penny: I’m responsible for all inventory. I do our menu planning. I do all of the shopping and meal prep. I plan the menus two weeks at a time, and that’s what I shop with. I have very limited storage space. I do a lot of farm-to-table when the vegetables and the fruits are in season. I go to the farmer's market. My responsibility is to make sure that every meal that is planned and cooked meets the requirement and to nurture the needs of our residents and their children. We have so many babies and their vitamins and requirements are a little bit different from their moms, so I try to keep that in mind when I plan a meal. How many meals a day are you planning and prepping for? Geno: Breakfast: 65 Lunch: 40 Dinner: 145 Total: 250 meals per day Penny: Breakfast: 18 Lunch: 25 Dinner: 37 Total: 80 meals per day What kind of meals do you make? Geno: We have a four-cycle menu that we try to stick to, kind of like a school cafeteria. It’s a blueprint or outline to go by, but it’s subject to change. There’s a lot of dynamics involved. If we get a large donation from somewhere, we try to implement that quickly. I could have baked chicken, rice, vegetables, and gravy planned and then get a call from someone who has 300 pork chops available, and my plan would change immediately. Penny: We recently served a seafood plate. We baked and seasoned flounder. I made lemon cream dill sauce with some popcorn shrimp on the side, plus grilled vegetables from the garden. We try to always have a veggie, like steamed cauliflower or broccoli. We have lasagna with a tossed salad. If we do meatloaf, I do half beef, half turkey to keep it as lean as we possibly can. We’ll make rice, gravy, and baked potatoes to go along. What are the requirements behind a healthy meal? Geno: I’m big on the integrity of the food. I want it to be as hot as possible and at it's peak taste. Noodles, for example: if you cook them at 1 pm for spaghetti and you’re not serving them until 5 pm, they’re not going to be good. I like my guys to prepare the food as close to serving time as possible. Penny: You have to have a source of protein. You have to have a starch, and you have to have a vegetable. I lean toward the leaner the better like a lean fish. When we have hamburgers, they’re turkey burgers. We make our own chicken strips. Any vegetable is leafy green. We eat a lot of broccoli, cauliflower, and asparagus. They get zucchini and squash from the garden. I keep it as fresh and as seasonal as we can. What is your favorite thing to cook? Geno: Barbecue ribs are a fan favorite. Fried chicken, pork chops, cheeseburgers and fries, grilled chicken tenderloin with a homemade mushroom gravy. Penny: We do a baked salmon dish that is popular. It’s always served with roasted asparagus, and then we have roasted rosemary potatoes on the side. What do you want residents or guests to experience when they have your cooking? Geno: Good food, for sure. Oliver Gospel, and the food we serve, is known in the community as some the best in the city. Amongst the homeless community, they all talk and share what we’re having each day. Another thing I want people to get out of it is fellowship. Food is an opportunity to connect, so good food is what we do to bring people to connect, then relationships form, and they’re able to get that fellowship. Our goal is to create an atmosphere of love through food. Penny: I want them to understand and to know that it is prepared with as much love as you possibly can. Like your mom, or your grandmother. A lot of these ladies were raised by their grandparents, so that’s what I want them to understand. I want it to be as beneficial nutrient-wise as it possibly can. I want them to sit down and enjoy, and at the end of the meal, know that they’re full and it was good. They remember these meals and they all have their favorites. I’ve had residents that have never had a piece of fish, unless it was deep fried. Or they didn’t know what an asparagus was, or a brussel sprout. Why do you cook for Oliver Gospel? Geno: We feed physically with food, but the opportunity that we get to feed spiritually is what does it for me. It’s rewarding that God allows me to be a part of the process of transformation with the people that he sends us. I build relationships with a lot of the guys in the program that have nothing to do with food. It’s feeding spiritually and forming a spiritual connection. I’ve lived a lot of what they’re going through, being formerly addicted to drugs and alcohol myself and making poor choices that led to incarceration, and a lot of these guys have been through that. It’s bigger than just managing and cooking food. It’s an opportunity for me to really be a part of the process that plants a seed in these guys, or waters a seed that somebody else plants. Penny: We’re all here because this is our purpose. I was drawn here. This is it. It’s where I’m supposed to be. It’s why we do what we do. Because He called us here. Anything else you would like to add? Geno: 75% of my employed staff went through the program and graduated. It’s important to me, and us as a ministry, to practice what we preach by believing in people who come through our program. Giving them an opportunity to carry out what they’ve learned. They go through healing and transformation while they’re here, and to let them exude that in daily employment, it’s good for their life. I think it also gives current residents hope. A lot of the work assignments guys in the program have are kitchen-oriented and food service-oriented. It instills responsibility in them. Penny: Thank you for all of your donations. We’d love for you to come and have lunch with us sometime. Your donation to Oliver Gospel provides life-changing meals that inspire our guests every day. Thank you for supporting Geno, Penny, and our incredible food staff!

Robert risked everything just to make ends meet for his family. The community he discovered at Oliver Gospel finally brought him peace. Cereal, cheese, peanut butter... That’s all Robert had to eat growing up. His family did their best to provide, but the dangers around him made each day difficult. “We were in the streets around drugs, addicts, and shootings. People were selling drugs, taking your stuff. It was hard growing up.” Desperate for food and shelter, Robert began selling drugs to make ends meet. Selling led to using, and using led to more pain and heartache than he ever imagined. His addiction strained relationships with his family, and selling drugs sent him to prison for 10 years. Upon his release, Robert was uncertain where he would fit into society. He began to slip back into his addictive ways until his brother encouraged him to get help. “I wasn’t thinking about what it was doing to me. My brother saw that it was wearing me down. He called the Connections Center and set up a meeting.” When he arrived at Oliver Gospel, Robert discovered there was so much more than just an overnight shelter program. He was greeted by a smiling staff member who offered him a meal, fresh clothes, and all the supplies he needed to settle in. “They were willing to help me, and they showed me love. That first week, I realized I could do it.” After gaining sobriety and stability, Robert began learning about the Lord. After spending so many years on the streets, the sense of community he felt at Oliver Gospel brought joy and excitement to his life. With Jesus’ love in his heart, Robert thrived in classes and counseling. He began regularly attending church and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings while continuing to bond with his life coaches and other residents. “I didn’t know people could be that loving. I got my life back together. I got my shine back. I have God in my life.” Today, Robert is working full time doing maintenance for a local church. He remains committed to his sobriety and would like to mentor future guests who enroll in Oliver Gospel’s recovery program. “Oliver Gospel will set your life straight, but you’ve got to want it. This program will change your life.” Generous donors like you make Oliver Gospel’s programming possible, and Robert is thankful for your support. It costs just $2.17 to provide a meal for one of our guests. Donate today and show others just like Robert how much you care. Hear Robert's story in his own words: