Dear Family Member:
We wish you could have attended the wedding last month of graduate, Justin Hansen and Kelsey Cherepuschak. As you can see, the weather was perfect for the outdoor ceremony at the Big Bear Seventh-day Adventist Church in Big Bear, CA. Kelsey’s family came from Canada, Justin’s family came from Texas, and friends and loved ones came from far and near to celebrate this delightful and most memorable occasion.
Justin met Kelsey, a Loma Linda University medical student, at the Loma Linda Campus Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church, where the DAP family attend. They both love nature and have enjoyed so many trips and activities appreciating God’s creation. You have never seen two people so compatible!
Justin says: “I am so blessed to have the support, love, and care from Mr. and Mrs. Harris and the great men that manage and go through DAP. I have formed valuable and meaningful relationships that have helped me grow and continue to be there for me.
The most meaningful relationship I have developed is with Christ and second, with my new wife Dr. Kelsey Hansen. She is absolutely wonderful and has a heart for Jesus which shows through her ministry as a medical professional.
I’m ‘higher’ than I’ve ever been with a new wife, new job, new apartment, and barely coming down from our awesome adventure that we had for a week on our honeymoon in Costa Rica. All of this is possible because of my new life of sobriety which DAP has taught me. Also, through your donations, family member. I came to DAP with empty pockets. Today, because of you, I have a bright future. I am able to give back to the program and help my brothers coming behind me. What a blessing! It gives me joy to write this! ”Congratulations to our son and daughter. We are so thrilled to see how God brought them together in holy matrimony to be servant leaders for Him. What a positive role model Justin is for his brothers in the program. Success stories like his make our hard work and sacrifice worth it. To God be the glory for ‘snatching another brand out of the fire!”
My Brother’s Keeper Scholarship Fund for September totaled $3,000.00. Thank you, family member, for sending money to increase this fund for men who come to DAP without any resources. We turn no one away for lack of funds.
Meet Juan Gutierrez, one such person: Frank Celis, 2016 graduate, and his family were friends of Juan and his family. They saw how Juan’s alcohol addiction had destroyed his family. When Juan reached out for help, the Celis family shared their success story and referred him to DAP. Juan had abused his wife and children for many years and the excruciating pain they carried was indescribable. Silvia, his wife, was filled with anger to see her children acting out in school and the whole family being out of control.
One morning at 5:30 a.m., while on Facebook, Silvia prayed and asked God to let Mrs. Harris be online to receive her message to call and talk to her about the problems of her marriage. Freddie had just signed on and saw her message. After a heartfelt conversation, she was able to grant Silvia’s request to have counseling for her children and herself. Arrangements were made and now the whole family is receiving healing counseling.
We just received a lovely thank you card from Juan that reads:
“Dear Mr. Cliff & Freddie Harris, I’m so thankful for you allowing me to come to your program and believing that I could change my life around. Also thank you for helping me, my wife and children and providing them with counseling. I thank the Lord for placing you both in my life. What an amazing blessing you are to my family! Every day I push to become that man, husband and father I need to be. Always, your son, Juan Gutierrez”
Truthfully, we could not do this without you. We, and men like Juan deeply appreciate your generosity. Thank you! You have made a real difference in the lives of these men we serve. Your prayers and financial support mean the world to us!
With so much gratitude,
The Drug Alternative Program is a tax-exempt non-profit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, so your donation is deductible from your US income taxes to the extent allowed by law. Please consult your tax professional to ensure proper filing procedure.