All I can say is that community plays a very important role in helping people with their issues and struggles. I think in a world that has so many things that seem to sidetrack people from the true purpose God has for them that it is important we provide things such as mentors, places, events, and a community to help people be surrounded by people who want nothing more than to see the best for a person and to help them try and find their true purpose in life. The way I have seen people network to have such a positive impact on people is incredible. People from different churches and backgrounds have come together all for a common purpose to help serve God by being good stewards of their time and resources to help others and I think this is of real importance as we go through these tough times.

When I was asked to speak at a celebration of life for Justina Schummer (Tina) I would not have known that I was going to make new connections that would help me get to where I am today. I know that I wanted to use my testimony to inspire others to seek God's help and grace by faith through Jesus Christ. I was asked by a friend who could not make it to speak at the event and little did I know that I would make friends with a lady who later ended up introducing me to her husband and her friends and fellow church members who would later come alongside me in recovery.

Just meeting that one person at this celebration of life event would alter my future and save my life. I had spiraled back into drug addiction after a relapse and I was in a very dark place in my addiction when I received a message from my soon-to-be friend Melissa- Founder of Red house of Hope who happened to be organizing the event for addiction awareness that I spoke at. Her husband and fellow ministry friends came over and had an intervention with my mom and me. I knew at once that all these people who wanted the best for me were telling me the same thing, that I needed to get help. The point I want to make clear is the importance of community, and that bringing others together can make a difference. Who would have thought that going to an event and the exchange of contact information would later lead to a text message that kept from death?