March 6, 2024

“I CAN BE A LIGHT” | Michael's Story

How to start saving money

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Why it is important to start saving

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How much money should I save?

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What percentege of my income should go to savings?

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Michael didn’t expect to survive the streets. Coming to CityTeam opened the door for him to find new life!

Growing up in the foster care system planted a seed of anger in Michael. After two different adoptions, he felt like he didn’t belong anywhere.

That seed of anger grew when 13-year-old Michael watched his cousin die in his arms after getting shot. “After that, I started chasing gangs and chasing drugs,” says Michael. The rest of his teenage years were spent in juvenile hall.

When Michael was released at 21, he became caught in a relentless cycle of street time and prison time — until he had a wake-up moment behind bars.

“That day was the first time in nine years that I opened the Bible,” he says. Michael knew he couldn’t break the destructive pattern on his own. He went to his parole officer and cried out for help.

“I told them, ‘I need help getting my foundation back under me. I’m slipping away.’”

Michael came to CityTeam with next to nothing. But now, thanks to the support of the community, he has everything he needs. “They helped me get my license back. They helped me get my faith back. They helped me get a job. Everybody here wants me to do good,” says Michael.

Through anger management classes, job preparedness, a caring community, and more, Michael realized his God-given potential and that he’s so much more than his disappointments. Now, he’s living a self-sufficient life free of addiction and pain.

“I want to reach out to the youth and help people who went through what I went through,” says Michael. “I feel like I can be a light.”

HAPPY TO BE ALIVE

It’s because of the generosity of donors and God’s abundant grace that Michael’s life was transformed at CityTeam. When you ask Michael how he’d describe the person he is today, he’d tell you, “Happy.”

“My goal growing up was to do life in prison. I didn’t expect to live. Now, I’m happy to be alive. Happy to have a relationship with God. Happy to wake up in the morning and go to work. I’m happy to have everything.”

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