August 2026 Newsletter

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New Chapter in My Life

Hilario worked hard and drank even harder. It looked like success on the outside, but underneath there was a serious problem. Occupational stress from meeting deadlines and a company culture of peer pressure to drink contributed to addiction and illness.

He said, “I had a good paying union job with benefits, but I had addiction because it was physically demanding work that is going to break you down both physically and mentally. There was pressure to drink after work and to get the job done on time. Alcohol had control of my life.”

Results of his lifestyle included Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUII) offenses, prison, job loss, injuries, divorce, hearing voices. Hilario said, “I was sick of that environment, and I wanted a change in my life. I wanted to stop drinking and seek God in my life for the first time.”

He accepted the Lord and was baptized but continued to struggle with old habits and surrounding influences. He heard about the Mission being a sober environment, so he checked in here. He said, “As soon as I arrived at the Mission, I stopped drinking.”

“I like chapel, it keeps me in alignment with the Lord. I found out that the Lord was right there with me the whole time. Now, I read my Bible so I can understand more. The Mission has rekindled my fire and given me hope to look forward to tomorrow and begin to recognize who I am. It allows me to have another chance when I thought I was done. I have a new beginning, a new chapter in my life with meaning. I know what I live for now.”

Hilario is employed again and likes his new occupation. At the Mission he is accountable, healthier, happier and living in faith.