For Paul, divorce meant more than the death of his marriage. It was the end of his life as he knew it.

After the divorce, Paul got into some drinking and drugs. The biggest heartache was losing his family and being separated from his kids. He just gave up because the separation and the financial demands became overwhelming. Paul developed anger issues and even wound up in prison for awhile.

Back on the outside, Paul fought to get his youngest son, Daniel, out of foster care. And he met Michele, who became his girlfriend. The three formed a solid bond, but Michele had her own struggles. She was a functional drug user, but she got by okay. She didn’t think that it was so bad until she took a step back and saw the affect it was having on Daniel.

Times were tough for the three. For a while, they even lived in the back of a camper. When they were accepted into the Village of Hope – Paul in the men’s program with Daniel and Michele in the women’s program – it was a shot at a new life for them.

“We’re being cared for here,” Paul says. “Good teaching, good training and a whole lot of love. It’s another chance at life for us.”

“And it’s a solid foundation for Daniel,” Michele adds. “The Mission helped him get into school and receive after school tutoring.

“I never thought I’d be on the streets,” she continues. “I was too proud to ask my family for help. But the Mission is teaching me about God, and Paul is showing God’s love in my life. If I can’t make it here at the Mission, there’s no hope for me anywhere.”