Meet Michael - clean for 5 years
I was born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska. My folks and siblings also live here. I graduated from Lincoln Southeast in 1975 and shortly afterwards joined the army. I couldn’t take any orders so was discharged after 25 days. I had many good paying jobs but then would decide that job wasn’t for me.
I didn’t or would not listen. That has been my biggest downfall, even in school. I was always in trouble and not paying attention in class. At lunch I would try and fit in with the party crowd so that meant doing drugs and drinking. Soon after that I was always getting into trouble with my folks - seems like it was all the time. I started not coming home at night. The police were called on me, and you would think that would fix the problem but it didn't. I ran away from home at the age of 16 and my folks pretty much told me don't come back. Well, I didn't and started staying with friends or at the City Mission. I had every chance to fix my life but I wanted to party. Soon my friends were getting fed up. Then I really started to get into hot water with the law because I was stealing.
At some point I decided to stop, but that didn’t last long. After 4 marriages and D.U.I.s I was still partying. I lost everything.
After living on the streets for a while I felt the need to stop. In 2009 I walked into Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach. I hung around for a while and tried to meet some people but didn't really latch on. I tried to help out as much as I could.
Then I met Randy (Kitchen Assistant at Matt Talbot) - the first person I really could relate to. He helped me a lot in the positive way. Then I felt like opening up more. I met Sara (Outreach Coordinator at Matt Talbot). There are no words that can explain how these people helped me through my hard times.
They helped me find a place to stay and I really thought I was on the right path. Things were going good for a while until I started to be dishonest with the people who cared the most for my wellbeing.
After time I finally began to see the light. With the help of the Matt Talbot staff and my family, I have been clean for 5 years now. I’m working for the State of Nebraska and taking classes at Kaplan University in the human service field. Now that I’ve found a better way of living, I want to give back to the community.
From my family and myself, thank you Matt Talbot.
- Michael Pleasant
