Renewal Story: Deon

After battling long-term drug addiction and living in her daughter’s car for two years, Deon knew it was finally time to change her life. Her motivation came from seeing her mother and knowing she would not always be here. “My mother is 80 years old,” Deon tells us. “I realized she wasn’t getting any younger, and neither was I. I had to do something about my addiction now.” 

Deon successfully completed a detox program, but she was still homeless. “I needed a safe place. My mother was in assisted living, and my kids didn’t want anything to do with me,” she says. Staff at the detox center referred her to Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County. “I had no idea what is was going to be like,” Deon recalls, “but the spirit in the building was perfect. Everybody I came in contact with were beautiful people!”

Right away, Deon immersed herself in the program. “Everything gets you back in touch with yourself. I really love Skill Building and Financial Literacy. They teach you how to do your banking and savings. I’m 53 and I thought I’d never get to learn that! To have somebody take time and teach me things is awesome.”

Chapel and Bible study have also been a big part of Deon’s experience at UGM-TC. “I truly believe it was God’s doing that I got in here,” she says. “This place has made it possible for me to be with my family again! I look forward to the weekends because I get to go take care of my mother.” Deon also has three grown children and three grandchildren.

Deon is working on her long-term goals, which include finding a job, buying a car, making a home for herself – and learning to love herself again. “It feels good to be sober,” she admits. “I’d forgotten how it felt because I’d been in my addiction for so long.” 

To anyone who might be in need of a new beginning, Deon says, “You cannot go wrong with Union Gospel Mission. They actually saved my life. To God be the glory for all He has done, because I know He has placed these people in my life.”