"One day I had everything a man needs," explains 54-year-old Doug. A home, a wife and family, good health. His strong work ethic ensured he always had a job that paid the bills. He'd even invested in rental property, which was to provide his income when he retired. But, he says sadly, it seems like the next day, it was all gone.

After two divorces, he'd lost his home, his savings and his real estate. All he had left was a motorcycle . . . and his passion for hard work.

Doug floated from place to place . . . taking on one tough job after another . . . camping out or sleeping under bridges. Finally, after nearly 20 years, his body simply wore out from hard work and surviving in the elements. That's when he came to Northlands Rescue Mission.

As a resident at the Mission, "they're giving me a chance to plant my feet—to get my life straightened out," Doug says. "When you don't have to worry about a place to sleep or food to eat, you can concentrate on rebuilding the rest of your life. They either put options in front of you or help you find the options you need," Doug explains.

In addition to food, shelter and clothing, our Mission staff is helping Doug with life skills, money management and planning for his future while he battles to get his chronic back pain under control. Currently, Doug has a landscaping job, planting trees and bushes and unloading trucks. "It's painful . . . it hurts," he shares, "but I've got to do something. I've worked hard all my life and I can't sit around doing nothing."

Doug has saved enough money to move into an apartment soon, and we'll continue to help him get the medical care he needs and look for work that doesn't continue to take a toll on his body.

Doug says he has all the thanks in the world for Northlands Rescue Mission and friends like you who support the Mission with your gifts. He's glad our staff and facilities will be here when others, too, through their own sets of unfortunate circumstances, are in need.

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