testimony
The motel I was forced to call home had become a prison
“The motel I was forced to call home had become a prison as my alcoholic addiction spiraled out of control. It got to the point where I could no longer work and life became completely hopeless. There was no way out. I felt so alone. I cried out to God and he led me to reach out to Retrograde. A volunteer & donor from the program drove 10 hours to pick me up in my prison of despair. I have never been the same again and thank God for this amazing program and for the second chance at life… ” A Retrograde student
Has been married for four years, owns a home, has held the same job for 6 years, has had relapses, but keeps pushing forward.
Relationships restored
“I was in a hospital bed high out of my mind on meth, starving, with pneumonia, close to death, when I felt God enter the room, change my heart, and lead me on the path to complete freedom. I have tried over 20 residential programs before but Retrograde has been the perfect capstone to my life of addiction. I know I will never be the same again, thanks to God and my friends at Retrograde…” A Retrograde Student
Still clean 6 years later, stays busy caring for his family.
15 years in Prision
“I left Retrograde Ministries after four months because I thought I could handle it on my own and I wanted to get back with an old girlfriend in my old neighborhood. For a few months I did great. Then I started to slip back into old habits, and now I am serving a 5 year sentence in prison. I did better at Retrograde than at any point in my entire life. I plan to return there when I am released and build a new life in their community, and completely cut off my old connections.” Former student, hoping to return fall 2022
Never thought
"Back in 2010 I walked into an addictions program as a volunteer. I had always dreamed of being able to help people, but I was so shy that I could barely speak. On my first day, I was able to be there for two guys who were experiencing their first day of recovery. Everyone was so friendly and grateful. I could not wait to return the next week! I watched these guys' lives change for the better. Slowly I gained my confidence and can now speak like a normal person. It's 11 years later and I am now full time doing this kind of ministry."
A staff member