Adrian is working on overcoming negative emotions.

He hopes to reconnect with family

Adrian knows all about devastating loss. In 2011, his son was murdered in front of his aunt’s home. “It was a drive-by shooting, but my son wasn’t a part of it, wasn’t the intended target. Some of his friends were shot, but they all survived. I was so angry at God; I blamed Him for my son’s murder.”

Although Adrian admits to drinking heavily and using methamphetamines prior to his son’s death, Adrian’s anger compounded his addiction, and he spiraled.

“That was the real downfall,” Adrian said. “I haven’t been able to take care of myself. I have been steeped in methamphetamines and alcohol for the last 12 years; I’ve been homeless for the past two years. I was able to keep a job and live in my car, but then I lost that, and my job went out of business, and I was just burnt out.

“I lost hope and all my will. It sucks being homeless. You’re ostracized by society. It felt like I was picked to be homeless, like society didn’t want me anymore. I was taking it real personally.”

Adrian began searching for meaning in life in various ways, including looking into the occult, as well as Buddhism. While Adrian was staying at another shelter, he attended a Bible study. It was there he realized he needed help.

In August 2024, Adrian came to the Mission. And as much as Adrian knew grief, he’s now learning how to have hope. “Here, I’m getting counseling. I’m around people that are sober — a lot of people at the other shelter were doing drugs. And honestly, being in a house is nice. I haven’t been in a house in two years.

“I wasn’t expecting the structure, I wasn’t expecting to have to deal with people or my anger. But I’ve been working on what’s making me angry, why I’m unhappy, and trying to change through prayer, especially negative thoughts: hopelessness, fear, anxiety – I’m working on that.”

As for the future, Adrian is “taking it one day at a time. I want to stay in Santa Maria. There are more services here to help those who need them. I want to get housing and employment, and I want to get reestablished with my family. I haven’t spoken to my siblings or mother in about a year. My mom doesn’t even know where I am.”

Adrian is grateful to the Mission and its supporters. “To people who are willing to give to the program, I’m very grateful and thankful. I would be on the streets right now. Shelters are great, but they don’t have the resources to help people get off of drugs, to get people the help, physical or mental, they need. Here, I am in a place where all that is addressed. It’s really amazing.”