Dear Family Member 
Dr. Carlton P. Byrd is the Senior Pastor of the Oakwood University Church, and the Speaker/Director of the Breath of Life Television Broadcast, which airs on four international television networks. Last month Dr. Byrd was in town to speak at the Southeastern California Conference Camp Meeting in Riverside, CA. He came by to see the facility and visit us and his cousin, Brandon Crarey, a client in the program. Cliff and I were anxious to show him our lovely homes and the hands-on work that we do here at DAP. He was impressed with the work God has accomplished through us as His servant leaders. The men were so excited to meet the pastor they see on TV each week. He encouraged the clients and spent quality time with them. They were honored to meet a man of God who was so personable and ‘down to earth.’
In Alabama, we attend the Oakwood University Church and have the privilege of hearing Pastor Byrd each week. We have seen the church grow consistently with new members under his guidance. In his 23 years of pastoral leadership in the states of Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Texas, and Georgia, Pastor Byrd has baptized over 3,500 persons.
In June, Mayor Darcy McNaboe of Grand Terrace, awarded Drug Alternative Program $2,000 from the City’s Community Benefits Fund to help offset the cost of $13,000 for a new riding lawnmower purchased for the Work Therapy Program. City Council Member Bill Hussey esteems DAP’s contribution to the community and recommended us for this award.
DAP has been a working partner with the City of Grand Terrace for over two decades, donating landscaping services to the City. We have also been awarded a Certificate of Appreciation for our contribution to the City’s beautification projects. We teach the men to respect the community and appreciate the relationship we have with our city. We love Grand Terrace.
Carmen Dominguez and I visited Arlene Lee at the Linda Valley Assisted Living Center in Loma Linda, CA. You should have seen the radiant smile on her face when we surprised her. We enjoyed reminiscing about good times together. Carmen and Arlene have traveled together and she brought picture albums to share with her. Arlene is very special to DAP. In 2008, Arlene, owner of the Panadent Corporation, attended the DAP Memorial Day Breakfast. Graduate Robert Hassler, a felon, was having difficulty finding a job. Arlene offered to interview him for a job. She hired Robert to work for her company. He was so thankful that Arlene took a risk to help him start his career in the work place.
Robert has been working for DAP for the past four years as a Work Therapy Program Manager supervising the clients in landscaping work. DAP services nine commercial accounts including Loma Linda University Medical Center and the Campus Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church in Loma Linda, CA. All DAP employees are graduates of the program. We noticed Robert was the only single employee. We prayed and asked God to choose a good Christian wife for Robert. Sooner than expected, He answered our prayers! Robert met Abby Tun at the Kansas Avenue Seventh-day Adventist Church in Riverside, CA. She is indeed a Christian woman who loves God and showed immediate interest in the work of DAP. Robert and Abby were married on July 2, 2016. They are working as a team coordinating worship for the men on Wednesday and Friday nights. What an asset they are to the ministry. Every man needs a helpmeet to enhance his relationship with God. Robert says that he is ‘blessed and highly favored’ of his heavenly Father. Thank you, Arlene, for giving this young man a second chance. Where would he be today had you not believed in him. Robert and Abby are planning to visit her soon.
That will be her second surprise.
Matthew 25:36-40 says “… I was sick and you visited me… And when did we see you sick… and visit you?… And the King will answer them, Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these… you did it to me.”
May we take time to visit and spread God’s love to those like Arlene who cannot return the favor.