James’ Story

I mostly grew up in group homes and foster homes, all the juvenile places. I’ve been doing that since I was about 13. Growing up with all guys from correctional places, we never learned the principles needed to live in society. I had always been involved in the gangs and had a prison mentality. I took the recidivism, thinking distortions, and the critical thinking classes that Minnesota, Colorado, and the Feds recommended, yet I still kept going back to prison. Things like working a job, having a paycheck and getting a car loan and mortgage was overwhelming. When you’re using and stuck in addiction, the drugs corrupt you.

A while back I was in Dakota County Jail and one of the COs brought in a newspaper with the month’s mug shots, and it showed a big picture of Frankenstein and a picture of me with the caption “Monstrosity.” I actually knew some people who were true monsters and it made me look at myself. When I finally got out of prison in 2016, three days later I was selling drugs again because I didn’t know what to do, and I remember thinking I was happy. My wife and kids were spoiled, we always had money. But really, I was miserable. Not too long after that, I had a heart attack and was indicted, and they sent me to Mn Adult & Teen Challenge. It was the best thing that ever happened to me.

I don’t think I ever felt so much love as when I walked into Mn Adult & Teen Challenge. Most of the staff went through the program having walked the same walk that I am right now. They get me. It took me a minute to figure out that there was a God telling me to slow down, that enough was enough.