The holidays are a trying time financially, especially during a pandemic.
For residents of the Eugene Mission, the additional stress is only adding to the current battles they’re already facing.
But the Mission is going above and beyond to create long-term wellness for their guests.
“Most of my adult life, and maybe some of my younger teenage life, I struggled with drugs and/or alcohol,” says Eugene Mission resident Dominique Gonzalez.
Gonzalez has been a resident since January, involved in the R3 program – one of the programs they provide to help overcome addiction.
“The R3 academy gave me an opportunity to re-center myself because I wasn’t sure what I was going to do next. I dropped out of school, I lost my job, I lost my home.”
He and his wife, Ingrid, and their daughter, Gracie, have been utilizing the Mission’s programs to help them get back on their feet.
“What we’re trying to do is create a mindset in our guest that has a desire for them to thrive in their lifestyles again, so when you’re in constant turmoil and torment and stress it’s really hard to dream, it’s really hard to dream about your goals or really just your well being past this moment,” explains Mission program director Marshal Eck.
Add in the pressure from the holidays and it’s only more overwhelming – often reminiscing on previous holiday experiences.
“This is my youngest daughter, but I have a daughter that will be 21 next month,” Dominique says, “and I think back and reflect on how I wasn’t present even though I was there, you know, because of intoxications.”
Now 11 months sober with an 8-week-old daughter, the Mission’s support is giving him hope again.
“The Mission’s mission seems to be to make sure that we have everything that we need in order to move forward, so saving money is key. So, I’m working but we don’t just make money to spend it – it’s to save.”
And the Mission’s support comes in many forms, including one you can be a part of.
“Our guests are in a position where they are unable to provide a present for their kiddo or their kiddos are living here with them, and so this toy shop is pretty cool,” explains Eck.
A toy shop for their residents to pick out a gift, wrap it, and give it to their children.
Which, in a lot of cases, are in the foster care system or separated during the holidays.
“It’s a level of normalcy. It’s what we long for, for us to be part of the holidays is to provide for our children. I would definitely say it had some repair and some more help for maybe I can get it together by the next holiday and do things the way I want to.”
It’s a gift – supporting a mission – to provide hope and long-term solutions leading to long-term wellness for a better life.