Vence
Vence has been part of New Day Columbia for nearly three years, working 20 hours a week while managing his health and staying clean. Music is one of his biggest passions; he loves blasting his favorite songs in his car and sharing this sound with others.
New Day Columbia has been central to Vence’s journey. It provided him with stability when he was struggling with housing and helped him find purpose through volunteering and work. The day center is more than just a job; it’s a place where he can give back, see others succeed, and continue his own path toward recovery.
“I had a good childhood. No abuse, and spankings were valid. My parents kept food on the table and us dressed. But at 15, I first smoked marijuana. I thought I’d never do anything else, but I experimented. And the choice I made was to keep doing it. I hit some lows; my family didn’t trust me, job issues, housing issues. I always tried to keep a job so I could have my drug. Eventually, stuff fell apart. I just got tired.
I was late into harder stuff like crack cocaine. I tried it when I was 28. At first, it didn’t take hold. It was expensive, and I knew I could buy weed for a month with the same kind of money. But it spiraled. I found myself chasing that high for 20 something years, on and off. I got into legal trouble, lost jobs, and lost stability. It felt like fighting a losing battle; like going in the ocean and getting in a rip current.
I came to Columbia for Mobley, stayed at Harbor House and the Salvation Army. I was selective about my using because I didn’t want to get kicked out. They helped me get a housing voucher, but I lost it a year later because of doing stupid stuff to get drugs. I lost my apartment and became homeless. My funds ran out quickly while I stayed at Welcome Inn for about eight months and depleted my savings. Eventually, I got into public housing at Oak Towers, and I’ve been there ever since as I kept cleaning up my act.
That’s how I got to New Day Columbia. I still didn’t know much about it, but someone said, ‘There’s a pastor here. The church would probably help you.’ After I got some help, I went upstairs to see what they did and how they ran things. I would come to Darren and ask, ‘What do I need to do to get a job here?’ He told me they hire people who show initiative and who volunteer. He was adamant about that. So I volunteered, sitting in different areas he wanted me to, and eventually a spot opened up. He said, ‘I got a job for you if you want it.’ That’s been almost three years now.
I always tell people here, ‘you have to get tired of what you’re going through.’ I can speak for myself because I’m an ex-addict. You get tired of doing the same thing over and over, expecting it to change. It doesn’t. I wasn’t raised like this. I just fell in the hole and kept digging. When I got fed up, that’s when things changed. I don’t look down on anyone here because I know what it’s like. I love seeing the success stories that come out of this place. Some people have passed, at least 25 that I’ve seen, and that’s hard. But others come in at their lowest, and a year later, they’re working, getting their life back. That’s what drives me, seeing that success.
I’ve been married three times. My first marriage was young. We didn’t last long. But last year, I reconnected with her. We hadn’t seen each other in over 30 years. Now we’re back together, and we plan to get married again next year. Addiction is what drove us apart to begin with. I was still using, she wanted me home clean and sober but I just couldn’t do that. I was selfish. I quit my job, lost money, lost our place. We just grew apart more every day. I’m just thankful to have her back.
I have two boys, 26 and 27. Our relationship has improved over the last few years. They saw what happened to me and their mom and they made up their minds early: ‘I don’t want to do that. I’m not gonna be like that.’ They had a lot of resentment towards me because I missed practices and games and important stuff just to get high. But they’ve done well now and I’m proud of ‘em.
Helping people at New Day Columbia helps me too. Some of my lows haven’t been as low as them… I stayed above water, barely, but I give those guys the utmost respect. Sometimes all it takes is giving someone a kind word or a little advice. We try to meet the person where they’re at, even though they need that type of assistance, we try to learn how they operate.
Outside of this, I love music. I have subs in my car. It’s loud. I didn’t have it growing up, and now that I’ve got my sanity back, I’m doing all the things I didn’t get to do before and I’m in a great place. I don’t take the small moments for granted. Credit’s over 700 now… it’s those little things, you know, I find joy out of that. I keep in mind that if I ever go back to using, I may not make it out. I love myself and the life I have now. It’s a no-brainer. Why did I even start in the first place?”
Amanda
Amanda, a mother of three, with a daughter who has been a constant source of support and love in her life, has a deep connection to music, enjoys staying active, and values community above all else.
Amanda has navigated periods of homelessness and struggled with addiction, but she found stability and purpose through her work at New Day Columbia and volunteers to help others who have faced similar adversity in their lives. Her family, both biological and chosen, remains central to her life, grounding her and inspiring her to stay on a positive path.
“I’ve been through a lot in my life. My dad killed himself when I was 12. I didn’t deal with it until I was 35, when my step aunt told me about a flashback my dad had. She described something he did when he was struggling; something I had never known about, and it gave me a piece of closure I’d been missing for over two decades. Hearing about that moment helped me understand a part of him I’d never seen, and it finally allowed me to process his death in a way I couldn’t as a child. But my stepdad later died of cancer, and I had to start and process that loss too. I became a drug addict.
When I was using drugs, I stayed away from my family because I didn’t want them seeing me like that. My husband now told me, “You’re not built for this game.” Because I don’t have the heart to take from other people like that. It’s not in me.
I have three kids. My daughter has always stayed involved with me, even when my sons weren’t speaking to me. She’s been my savior. She’s been the kindest person I have in my family and I do not know what I’d do without her; truly a blessing.
I’d lived at my ex-husband’s house multiple times after our divorce. But when I became homeless I became more like the addict I was when I was using, and that was a dog-eat-dog situation because I had to survive. But I knew it wasn’t me and I had to become that person because of homelessness. I was living that life like I was no good, a shit life. Even though my ex-husband and I are not together anymore, we’ve stayed close. He’s always cared about me in his own way. After everything, when I lost a home and didn’t have nowhere else to go, he gave me the Yukon Denali that I ended up living in. That meant a lot; it showed me that even when things fall apart, people can still show kindness. I’m grateful for that.
There were times I felt so lonely that I let people do drugs in my van just so I wouldn’t be by myself. I wasn’t using at that time, but I wanted to feel like I still belonged somewhere. I hated it when people did drugs in my space, but having company made me feel less alone. Even living in a vehicle, I learned to manage. I had to figure out shit you wouldn’t think about; how to charge my phone, keep my things organized, and make sure I had power for the little things I needed. Had to keep myself clean, healthy, and resilient. It wasn’t easy, but it taught me how to survive, how to handle myself.
Being clean and getting that chance saved me. I started volunteering at New Day Columbia. They needed volunteers, and sometimes that led to employment. After a few days, I got a position. I was there all the time. This is my community. These are my people. Darren’s been like a dad to me. He’s amazing, and the people I work with are great. We’ve all come from similar situations, so we’re nonjudgmental, and we can make jokes about our past because we all know what it’s like. Working at New Day Columbia changed my life.
Now, I drive buses for an alternative school. I pick up students in the morning, take them home at night. I’ve learned that people have complicated lives, and sometimes it’s not as simple as “just get a job.” I’ve learned to take care of myself. I save money, keep organized, and avoid situations that drag me down. What motivates me now? My truck, my grandkids, my daughter. I spent almost $200 on my first grandchild’s birthday. That’s worth it. Stuff like that keeps me going.
Now, I have a stable place to live, and I’m grateful for it. I’ve learned that life isn’t “dog eat dog” anymore, and I can set my own bar, my own standards, and live up to them.”
