Hi there,
Thank you so much for your support and for taking the time to read my story.
My name is Alex and I’ve been living at YMCA for nearly six months now. Previous to this I was homeless, living on the streets, and had been living rough for some time. I had been at college but due to ongoing problems with my family I had to leave home.
Growing up and for as long as I can remember I’ve worried about everything. The first time I drank alcohol was the first time I felt free of the anxieties I usually feel, so I would spend most days sitting in my room drinking and using drugs. I’d gotten myself into drugs and excessive drinking to help me cope with my mental illness; I had an anxiety disorder, which I was diagnosed with when I was younger. But these habits put a huge strain on our relationship as a family and eventually my parents told me to leave.
If I’m honest, I never expected that to happen. I was not street smart and I slept in some unsafe places, like park benches.
I had to beg for my food and was attacked on the streets late at night, it was horrible. I went to a local homeless hostel and they told me they were full, but got in touch with the YMCA for me. I was given a room a week later and since being here I have been given a lot of help with my drug and alcohol habits and am in the process of finding new ways of coping with my mental health with the support from YMCA.
I am pleased to say that from this point on I have stopped taking drugs all together and have cut down the amount of alcohol I drink. I have been volunteering thanks to YMCA, found a place to receive mentoring, and have been getting involved with things like gardening, music production and computing. I’ve also been applying for work and hope to be in a job soon so that I can start earning some money and pay off some debt I have picked up over the years. With the help of YMCA I am going to be joining a gym and getting more pro-active as I haven’t been looking after myself for quite some time.
I already feel like I have a sense of self-worth and motivation that I haven’t had before. It’s really good to feel like I can get my life back on track again.
Once again, thank you so much for supporting people like me and I’ll be in touch, keeping you up to date with everything going on, and how I’m progressing, soon.
Alex
Very pleased to read of Alex’s efforts to turn his life around, and always good to hear that the YMCA is succeeding in their efforts to help.
Well done Alex, a great start to what will be a much better future for you. All the best to you
Good on ye Alex , its reading blogs like yours that make giving every month worth while ! I’ve had drug issues and I’m on medication for a mental illness, so I know what you are going through, well done and have a great Christmas when it gets here, next year will bring good things I’m sure ,,
So pleased to hear how Alex is coping with his new life. Thank you for providing him with a room and help with life skills. Money well spent.