Each year, hundreds of clients graduate from one of the Waterfront Rescue Mission's Recovery or Career Development Programs. Below are some of their personal stories and reflections of their time at the Mission.

Note: More stories to come!

It's Good to Have Friends - J.J.'s Story

J.J. graduated from The Waterfront Rescue Mission's Career Development Program on October 30, 2008. Recently, he graduated from Pensacola Junior College with a degree in Applied Science! Congratulations J.J.!

Most of you will agree that having a good father figure in our lives is critical to our success in life. Many of the men who are in the Waterfront Rescue Mission Men's Recovery Program have never had a good male role model so the Mission connects each man with a volunteer mentor. These mentors help them learn how to be successful in their endeavors and live a life through Jesus Christ. Here is the story of one of those men and his mentor:

"My life was totally out of control due to bad decisions and a very bad addiction. I got in trouble with the law and fled to Mexico, another bad decision. There I was ... broke, living on the beach, dirty, hungry, friendless and to top it off, I couldn't speak the language. I have been lonely before, but never like this. After two months I did something I'd never done before; I asked God honestly and from my heart for help. The next day I met a guy on the beach and he gave me a few dollars to buy gas for my old beat up truck. I crossed the border in Texas, sold my truck and rode the bus to Pensacola. I went to the Mission for food and shelter, but when I found out they had a Christ-Centered Recovery Program I applied and was accepted. Two weeks later I gave my life to the Lord."

Every man that comes through the Waterfront Rescue Mission's doors has their own personal story of how they hit rock bottom. Bad decisions, addiction, trouble with the law - any of these factors can cause them to seek help at the Waterfront Rescue Mission. J.J. knew that to become the man he wanted to be, he had to find a Christian mentor to help him with his walk.

"The mentoring program at the Mission is one of the main reasons for my success. My relationship with my mentor began as a sort of father-son relationship but has grown into a deep friendship. I love him like a brother. It's important to have a mentor because you're not always going to think the right things. Your mind can play tricks on you, but a mentor will tell you the truth."

J.J. went from being a fugitive on the run in Mexico to graduating Magna Cum Laude with a 3.75 or higher GPA and received his Associates degree in Applied Science in May of 2009. "Today my life is so different. I graduated from the junior college last month and I am working as a chef at a local hotel. I am very involved in my church and I have a Christian girlfriend."

Bob Hughes, J.J.'s mentor, said, "I guess I'm what John (J.J.) needed. I'm not a perfect person, but a friend that holds him accountable. He'd never had that."

J.J. said, "My mentor is my best friend, and I hope he will be for the rest of our lives."

Above Pictures:
Top: J.J. at his Pensacola Junior College graduation.
Middle: J.J. helping serve meals at the Waterfront Rescue Mission's annual Great Thanksgiving Banquet
Bottom: J.J. and his mentor Bob Hughes