Manny’s Story

I’m 46 years old, the father of three, and I was born and raised in Minneapolis. I guess my journey of drug abuse started at 15 when I started smoking cigarettes, then drinking beer. I come from a predominantly alcoholic family. Both my dad and my stepmother drank. I lost my dad in 2022 to COVID, but 13 years prior to that he quit alcohol, quit smoking and turned his life over to Jesus. COVID took him away from us, as well as a baby and a cousin all in the same week. Devastated, I turned back to what I knew: drugs and alcohol. Not long after, I became homeless and was hanging out with some people that really didn’t care about me at all. I remember talking to my mom one time and she said she was scared to hang out with me because of all the stuff that I been through and the violence that was around me.

I’ve been at Mn Adult & Teen Challenge since February 2022 and sober since February 4. I’m getting a better closer relationship with Jesus, I feel just optimistic, and I feel grateful and blessed. I’m excited and motivated to see what God has planned for me and what I can contribute to the world. My mom sees a major change in me and is proud of what I’m doing. But actions speak louder than words, so I’m going to keep proving it to her.