Matt F.

Matt F. grew up in a family with a history of drug and alcohol abuse. From a young age, he struggled with substance abuse himself, starting to drink at 12 and use hard drugs like cocaine by 14. This led to numerous arrests, dropping out of high school, and a continued downward spiral of addiction.

It was Matt’s legal troubles that eventually led him to reach out for help. His father connected him with Pastor David and Street Life Ministries. Street Life’s outreach workers immediately stepped in, taking Matt to a detox facility and then connecting him with a treatment program. This marked Matt’s first real introduction to the ministry.

Over the next 16 months, Street Life supported Matt through multiple inpatient programs. However, after completing treatment, Matt lost touch with Street Life and quickly relapsed. He fell into an even darker place, using crack cocaine and living in deplorable conditions.

It was at this low point that Matt reconnected with Street Life. The ministry provided him with a hotel room and continued to push him to attend another treatment program. This time, after completing the program, Matt reached out to Street Life’s outreach worker Danny to become his AA sponsor.

Through Street Life, Matt discovered the ministry’s Street Church and began focusing on rebuilding his relationship with God, which he credits as crucial to his ongoing sobriety. He now lives in a sober house affiliated with the Recovery Church and has become deeply involved with Street Life Ministries, even serving as the site captain in Menlo Park.

Matt is deeply grateful for the role Street Life Ministries played in his journey. He emphasizes that their support, guidance, and focus on his spiritual growth were instrumental in helping him overcome his addiction and get his life back on track.