PONTIAC, Mich. – For Christian Could, this Christmas, there’s no better gift he could give himself and those he loves than sobriety.
“I’m excited,” said Cloud. “Mom and dad, nephews, sisters, everybody gets a gift, and nobody has to deal with me falling around, passing out on the couch, and just being unpleasant to be around.”
Cloud serves as the kitchen coordinator at Grace Centers of Hope in Pontiac.
But he started off last year as a client.
“I started drinking to replace my opiate problem,” Cloud said.
Grace Centers of Hope helps people impacted by homelessness and addiction.
Pastor Kent Clark, the nonprofit’s CEO, said the work they do is even more meaningful this time of year.
“I see this constantly,” said Clark while choking up. “Mom and dad come up to me and say something like, ‘This pastor, we just want to say thank you.’”
Grace Centers of Hope has a nearly $8 million yearly budget. And all that comes from donations, Clark said.
“I often say we believe in the big G, but it’s not big government passing out checks,” Clark said. “It’s a big God who changes people from the inside out.”
Clark pointed to Cloud as proof of that.
“That young man has done an absolutely amazing job,” Clark said. “I am so thankful for and proud of him.”
Cloud is proud of himself.
“Not everyone gets to hit the reset button in life, and this has been the best decision I have ever made,” Cloud said.
The nonprofit’s annual $2.17 Holiday Meal Campaign runs through Dec. 31.
Last year, officials said Grace Centers of Hope prepared over 100,000 meals for their clients.
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