Our Stories
Matt is a former resident of our Discipleship Home who has been profoundly impacted by our Discipleship Home program. Having lost everything to addiction and being in and out of several institutions, Matt offered up a desperate prayer that started him on a whole new next chapter of his life. Coming to our Discipleship Home, Matt became part of a community that reignited his relationship with Jesus. He failed to complete our program because he was not ready but we helped direct him to another program more suited to him in Wausau at Bridge Steet Mission. He completed that program, became an assistant resident manager there and got hired by a pest control company. He attributes his time here at Next Chapter La Crosse as an important step in the process of breaking the cycle of addiction he was in. Matt was able to reestablish relationship with his daughters, get accepted into school and get a job. Matt is now a ministry leader serving others in recovery, working full time, active in the church and loving living for the Lord. He has just recently taken the position of Residential Care Staff at Bridge Street Mission.
Ron came to our Discipleship Home after graduating from the Salvation Army ARC program in Milwaukee. Ron intentionally left Milwaukee, where he had been raised, to start a new chapter of his life here in La Crosse. He came ready to work but was running into obstacles getting a job. He was working hard at applying for work but frustration and worry began creeping in. But he was also growing in his trust that the Lord would supply. His diligence and trust paid off and he landed a job doing the kind of work he was looking for. He is doing well on the job and planning on retiring from there in 5 years when he turns 65. As he approaches the end of his time in our Discipleship Home he is preparing to settle here in La Crosse.
Dan met our Reentry Navigator through our application process while in our local jail. Dan’s addiction-driven and destructive lifestyle had brought him to the point of being tired, done, ready and willing to change. After a jail interview Dean, our Reentry Navigator, saw a man scared that even if given another chance, he would mess things up again. Dean and Dan prayed together with the likelihood that prison would be the next chapter of his life. Because of Dean’s experience and availability, he was able to present to the court the usually unlikely option of having Dan go to the Milwaukee ARC work therapy program, instead of prison. The Department of Corrections granted it, the judge agreed to it and Dan was on his way with Dean to Milwaukee. On the ride there Dan’s fears of failing surfaced but Dean reassured him the Lord would bring him through and he should just pray. Dean was back one week later and Dan’s whole demeanor had changed! He was clean shaven, well dressed and on fire for change. Dan was quickly promoted to front desk clerk. He became the face of the entire rehab! Dan has graduated from the ARC program and was asked to stay on as a part time employee. He also secured a job at American Family Stadium and is residing in that area to gain more strength in his sobriety around those who are healthy for him.
Casey, fresh from a rehab program and on probation, was ready to step away from the cycle he had been stuck in. Coming into the safe environment of our Discipleship Home, he has been able to seek and land a job that he really enjoys. He has done so well that he received a promotion shortly after he began. But due to some miscommunication with his probation agent there was the real possibility he would have to return to his previous location which would mean losing his housing, his job and potentially his sobriety. But due to the partnership we have developed with the Department of Corrections and Casey’s diligence the necessary steps to allow him to stay with us went through and he continues to flourish in his position. He has been diligent in his work and has been hired on full time. As he approaches the end of his time in our Discipleship Home, he is getting positioned to be able to live in our community as a self-sufficient and contributing participant.