Here at Fort Collins Rescue Mission, new faces are often arriving—and the pain in their eyes is unmistakable. But there are also fond farewells when one of our guests leaves to start a new chapter in their life, born anew and filled with optimism—because of caring friends like you. Guests like Ted.
He intends to move to California where he has family and a job lined up. And, after 16 years without, Ted wants to buy a guitar or banjo and play music again.
“Since coming to Fort Collins Rescue Mission, there’s been music in my heart. I feel it every day, and I want to share it,” Ted says.
“Since coming to the Mission, there’s been music in my heart. I feel it every day, and I want to share it”
Music, his first true love, got lost somewhere along the way when he was in his 20s, chasing girls and drinking heavily in and around Nashville. He had a child with a girlfriend during those years—a daughter named Lily. Ted missed a lot during Lily’s younger years. It was when he began to abuse drugs, prompting his girlfriend to leave him, taking little Lily with her.
Afterward, Ted began to struggle on his own. Construction work dried up and, although he tried to keep playing music, fellow musicians found him unreliable. They didn’t return his calls.
Soon, Ted was evicted and found himself homeless. Years passed and he ended up in Fort Collins. That’s when he heard about the Mission and decided to walk over. That night, he ate a hot meal and spoke with some other guests. That was weeks ago. He’s been a welcome fixture since.
Music, his first true love, got lost somewhere along the way when he was in his 20s, chasing girls and drinking heavily in and around Nashville. He had a child with a girlfriend during those years—a daughter named Lily. Ted missed a lot during Lily’s younger years. It was when he began to abuse drugs, prompting his girlfriend to leave him, taking little Lily with her.
Afterward, Ted began to struggle on his own. Construction work dried up and, although he tried to keep playing music, fellow musicians found him unreliable. They didn’t return his calls.
Soon, Ted was evicted and found himself homeless. Years passed and he ended up in Fort Collins. That’s when he heard about the Mission and decided to walk over. That night, he ate a hot meal and spoke with some other guests. That was weeks ago. He’s been a welcome fixture since.
“My eyes are open now, and I’m seeing so much. I’ve also started praying for the first time in my life. Thank you to everyone at this place who saw something in me that I’d been missing.”
“I can’t remember the last time I was sober this long,” Ted says. “My eyes are open now, and I’m seeing so much. I’ve also started praying for the first time in my life. Thank you to everyone at this place who saw something in me that I’d been missing.”
The California town where he’s hoping to move to is home to his daughter Lily, now 21. They’ve been talking a little, and it appears she’s got quite a singing voice. Ted dreams of someday playing music with her. It’s what keeps him going—along with encouragement from supporters like you.
As a Pathways of Hope member, your generosity enables us to provide hurting individuals the comfort of a hot meal, a warm bed—and a brighter future. Thank you for all the good you are doing for people like Ted.
“I can’t remember the last time I was sober this long,” Ted says. “My eyes are open now, and I’m seeing so much. I’ve also started praying for the first time in my life. Thank you to everyone at this place who saw something in me that I’d been missing.”
The California town where he’s hoping to move to is home to his daughter Lily, now 21. They’ve been talking a little, and it appears she’s got quite a singing voice. Ted dreams of someday playing music with her. It’s what keeps him going—along with encouragement from supporters like you.
As a Pathways of Hope member, your generosity enables us to provide hurting individuals the comfort of a hot meal, a warm bed—and a brighter future. Thank you for all the good you are doing for people like Ted.
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