Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.
- Isaiah 40:31
DAVID CARR, CADC II, CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER -
When I think of being a counselor, I am reminded of the honor it is to be part of a profession that helps clients on a pathway to recovery. I am also reminded of my own pathway that led up to being a counselor. I am a person who struggled with the disease of addiction for over 25 years, and my choices lead me on a pathway that would take me in and out of jails and prisons for many years until I came to the Merced Rescue Mission. I enrolled in the Hope for Men program where I was on a pathway that would lead to recovery.
During this recovery, I began thinking that I needed to change my career from a custom cabinet maker to a counselor. I signed up for the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP) with the help of others around me.
The day finally came when I was sitting in class and was about to begin my journey of being a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC I). The instructor informed us that during the next 14 months, we would be challenged to learn and that we would be different people at the end of that time. She was right and going through school challenged me to be a better person. I finished the class and completed 4,000 hours of supervised counseling of others to submit my portfolio to take the state test to be certified as a CADC I. I am grateful to now be a professional counselor, meeting the needs of people and providing direction to others in their training to become counselors as well. I have now been on this counselor pathway for a number of years, and through this process, I have been able to sign off on the training hours for many others who are striving to become counselors themselves. I began pouring myself into other counselors so that they could have the same opportunity that I had.
Today I am a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor II (CADC II), and I am humbly willing to continue to serve to help others and bring co-workers along the same pathway to become professional counselors. 16 people from our staff have pursued training to be a counselor.
MISTY - Being a counselor means I can give back what was given to me. I believe you can only keep what you have by giving it away. It’s an opportunity to help another recovering addict live and not die. Thank you, Jesus! Addicts do recover, one day at a time, one step at a time, and we never have to do this alone!
HANNAH - Being a counselor for me means having the opportunity to help people develop meaningful and lasting relationships with themselves and others around them. I can assist people in finding their truth and living firmly in it with the realization that growth is something we carry with us daily.
DAVID - Becoming an Alcohol and Drug Counselor is very special to me. I believe I have found purpose in life and am confident that I will be able to help others.
RENEE - I have the opportunity to remind people that they matter - their story matters. I am honored to encourage people and let them know there is HOPE and steer them toward the type of environment that encourages growth. I see the whole person - spiritual, physical, and emotional - and share that all these things working together is vital to success.
STEPHEN - There was a time in my life when I was broken and lost. Thanks to the grace of God, a counselor helped me find purpose in my life. He guided me to a drug and alcohol-free lifestyle and to where I am today. As a counselor, I can pour the guidance of Jesus Christ into others. I help others realize they don’t need to use drugs. I help them find true meaning and purpose in their lives. I am a change agent for positive change!
AMANDA - I have been employed with Merced Rescue Mission for almost two years. I am currently the Housing Navigator for the Navigation Center and studying to become a drug and alcohol counselor. Deciding to become a drug and alcohol counselor may not be a path most people choose, but I believe it to be the perfect path for me. Being able to connect with clients while working with them through many different struggles, and knowing I have made a positive impact on someone's life is awesome.
JENNIFER - I am the Director of the Navigation Center and a Registered Alcohol and Drug Technician (RADT). I chose to go into this field because I am also a recovering addict. I know the struggles of addiction and have a passion for helping others understand and overcome their addictions.
BOBBY - I am called to give back and being a counselor helps me do that. I have emotional conversations, as people have with friends, where I practice being the person who actively listens and supports the other person. It’s a rewarding career for those who choose to invest themselves in helping clients.
MARK - I am able to help guide others to make healthier choices the way others helped me.
JENNIFER - Being a counselor means I am a change agent. I help people understand what they have been through and give them the tools to help get through the challenges they face. Most importantly, I let people know they are not alone.
MARISSA - I am part of something big. I am a part of helping someone change their future.