By Jim Romig, Homeless Court Navigator, Merced County Rescue Mission
Before entering the Rescue Mission’s Hope for Men program, Brandon had been to several rehabilitation programs for his meth addiction and alcoholism with no lasting success. He still wanted to change his life and knew he needed help.
When he came to Hope for Men, Brandon was very concerned about a court case, which could end with him going to prison for eight years. He knew his situation was serious. It has been my experience that for those who trust God’s plan for their lives, all things are possible, so I told Brandon to trust God and keep doing what he was doing. He did trust God and completed the first phase of the Hope for Men program on May 2, 2025, making him ready to find employment.
Trying to find a job was very difficult for Brandon because thoughts of consuming drugs and alcohol were unsettling to him. Despite his feelings, on May 25th, he did go to the Advanced Career Institute (ACI) located here in Merced and explained that he had just completed the first phase of the Hope for Men program and was looking for employment. He decided he would enroll and work toward getting a Class A license, but he needed the funding to attend the classes. He went to Work Net to apply for funding and was told it would take two months to receive it. He went back to ACI and asked if he could attend the classes every day while he waited for the funding because he knew attending classes would help him stay sober. Brandon believes it was through the grace of God that his request was granted, and on August 1st, he graduated and received his Class A license. Earning this license was a great accomplishment, which was made possible because of his hard work and determination. Then his situation became even better! When he went to ACI to pick up his certificate, he was offered a position to teach courses on air-brake systems and pre-trip inspections without even applying.
But his story didn’t end there. Brandon went to church and saw his former football coach, who asked how he was doing. He told Brandon that he had been praying for him for a long time. After Brandon shared about having completed the first phase of the Hope for Men program and earning his Class A driving license, his former coach offered him a position as an assistant football coach at the high school. Brandon thought this would be a great way to give back to the community, so he applied and was accepted.
Brandon has also had other accomplishments. He graduated from the Homeless Court, in which, through his programming and community service hours, he was able to have his court fines dismissed. At Brandon’s court hearing, the judge ruled that he had to complete the second phase of the Hope for Men program and that, instead of prison time, he would be required to have a two-year probation period.
Brandon has recognized God’s presence, favor, and direction in his life over the last year. He has discovered that God’s plans are so much greater than he could have ever imagined.
