Year in Review 2022

From the time Rainbow was a young child, drugs and alcohol were a part of daily life.

“I was raised by parents who were users and alcoholics,” she said. “When I was older, harder drugs got involved.”

After a series of events, Rainbow was sentenced to prison. “I lost my home. I lost my children, and I accepted responsibility. I knew that God was the only one who was going to get me through it, so when I got to prison, I just dug deeper.”

While in county jail, volunteers ran Alpha, and Rainbow participated. She loved the experience, and she was excited when volunteers started Alpha in the prison where she had been sent. Rainbow helped facilitate the program by handing out fliers, inviting other inmates, and setting up the meeting room each week.

“In prison, there are not a lot of people who care about what we are going through,” she said. “To have somebody who really is there to care about what you are going through and to be there with you matters a lot.”

Rainbow served as a prayer leader for Alpha and prayed for each woman in the group. She said, “Alpha means a lot. It shows God’s love and kindness through others. It’s an example of how people should be.”

Rainbow finished serving her sentence and was released. She said, “I’m free! I am working. I am sober. God is who brought me from tragedy to triumph.”

Because of your generous support, people who felt isolated and rejected have experienced love and community in healing ways. I wanted to share Michael’s story with you and thank you for the part you played in his spiritual journey.

Michael struggled with alcoholism for many years and was homeless for a period of time.

He would walk the streets at night, and he often walked by a church that was offering Alpha. A church member previously invited Michael to attend Alpha, and he decided to try it.

Michael was unsure what to expect, but he was welcomed into the community with joy and friendship. He said, “It [Alpha] taught me to believe in people again.”

Michael’s Alpha table found out it was his birthday and bought him a cake. He said, “No one had wished me a happy birthday in 20 years.”

As Michael experienced love from others, he began to try to love himself again and forgive himself for his past mistakes.

An Alpha graduate hired Michael, who had been unemployed for two years. Michael has excelled in his job and has been recognized for his hard work and dedication. Because he had a steady income, Michael was able to secure housing. He also decided to begin attending AA meetings.

“I’m going back [to AA] because I went to Alpha,” he said. “I had given up on myself. This community and program have given me a reason actually to try to do the right thing again.”

Michael is in the process of joining the parish where he attended Alpha. After a tough season in life, he now looks to the future with expectancy.

*Photo by Will Judd, Proclaim June 2022 Issue