-
Scott Sowle
2011 & 2016 Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission Graduate. 2011 Mt. Hood Summit.
Scott was ready to end it all by throwing himself off of Seattle’s Magnolia Bridge. But something stopped him. When he made his way to Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission, he was desperate for any kind of change.
Abandoned with his grandparents at age four, Scott grew up a natural athlete. He sought the adrenaline and escape brought by extreme outdoor sports – and drugs and alcohol. By his 40s, his life had spiraled out of control into homelessness.
His time at the Mission and on the mountain put a firm foundation under his feet – finalizing his commitment to sobriety and the depth of his healing. Scott now interns full time in Seattle and helps lead Team Mission, a program connecting community runners with individuals in recovery regaining their fitness.
“Being on the very first team gave me an opportunity to maybe have a dream become a reality – to climb Rainier.
“It brought together a team of men striving for a new life. It taught me that without others, life isn’t accomplished. Having been on Hepatitis C treatment during training and the attempt, I learned to work through struggles. Then the real struggle began during the climb.
“My treatments made me sick and on the way to Camp Muir I became sick. It was decided that I should not continue on. This is where the struggle really began. I felt like a failure again. That was a fear.
“It wasn’t until 2 days after the return from the summit did I really overcome a struggle in life. I understood that I was loved and worthy – that it’s not about doing what we want to do – but listening and accepting where He has us in life is ok. I’m accepted for who I am today.
“I’ve since been to the summit of Rainier and many other Pacific Northwest glaciers. These summits still teach me more about life, but that first attempt taught me that if we don’t succeed, to put that to good use when attempting another summit in life. “
Read more of Scott’s story featured in local media!
Climbing out of homelessness: Five men conquer drugs and Mount Rainier – Tuesday, August 23, 2011 – By Judy Lightfoot / Crosscut.com
0 -
Angela Buggert
Angela’s (on the right in photo) addiction to heroin started when she was just 16. For over 10 years she wrestled in the clutches of this merciless disease. But just last year this sober and confident 26-year-old graduated the Tacoma Rescue Mission recovery program and summited Mt. Rainier with a new understanding of the power of her own ability coupled with a community that loves her.
“The climb did wonders for my recovery and my confidence in myself.
“I think I could have gotten clean and stayed clean without (being on the climb team), but I think the confidence I have from it … I mean, I climbed Mount Rainier. I still look at it and get goosebumps.
“A year and a half ago I didn’t have a single person that would trust me with anything. I didn’t have anyone that I trusted, and I didn’t have anyone who trusted me. To be a part of this team, where literally you trust each other with your lives … it’s a serious thing.
“It’s just been a huge part of my recovery.”
Read more about Angie’s story featured in local media!
Tacoma Rescue Mission group topples addiction and the state’s highest peak – Wednesday, September 14, 2016 – By Matt Driscoll / The News Tribune
-
Kristy Ford
2014 Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission Oaks Program Graduate. 2014 Mt. Hood Summit
Meth was Kristy’s drug of choice. Introduced to it in college, this drug did for her what the alcohol abuse and bulimia couldn’t: numb the memories of abuse that started at the tender age of three. Especially after surviving a near-death experience at the hands of her violent first husband, Kristy could not break free from addiction. She was picked up on drug charges and incarcerated.
Upon release she made her way to Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission – to experience lasting change and healing for the first time in her life. Kristy summited Mt. Hood, graduated from the program, and now is developing a cosmetology program to provide job-skills and training to other women in recovery.
“There are so many things that I gained from my climb team experience. The main thing I have taken with me is confidence and my relationships with fellow climbers. Coming out of prison after having been in a life of abuse, addiction, and homelessness, I lacked confidence in myself. I felt like I wasn’t worth anything and that I was a burden to those around me. Like I had nothing to bring to the table and I was lucky to be included in anything.
“This was not so when it came to being on climb team. On the climb team we were all struggling towards our personal best. Our goal was big and it was something we could not do on our own. We needed each other for support and to believe in one another when we didn’t believe in ourselves.
“Most importantly, Jesus was at the center of everything that we were doing. Training climbs would often be the place where I learned the most about Jesus and it wasn’t in the quoting of Scripture, (although there was a lot of that and that was very helpful when we needed encouragement like our team’s Scripture of Psalm 121), it was is the depth of the caring we had for one another. We truly cared about each other and how our hearts were doing. We cared about the things that were important to each of us, in a very real way. In this way the love of Jesus came alive for me and for all of us.
“It didn’t matter what our background was or what job title we had or whether we were in a place of need or in a place where we were able to give. I learned a priceless life lesson working together toward conquering Mt. Rainier with this group of believers. We are all equal in the eyes of God, we all struggled the same and we are all worthy of love and being cared for.
“Being an addict often comes with a feeling of being less than those who seem to be able to function in normal society, however, climbing alongside the very people I thought I was less than or different than gave me such a gift. We are all the same. I need them and they need me and most importantly we all NEED Jesus.”
Read more of Kristy’s story featured in local media!
Climbing Out of Homelessness With Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission: Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. – Tuesday, Aug 5, 2014 | By Matt Driscoll / Seattle Weekly
-
Volunteer Story: Hillary Grigel
I was intimidated at first, thinking I had nothing to offer these women – no professional experience with case management, and no personal experience with abuse or addiction. How would I relate? But as we began working out together, it was readily apparent that we would relate to one another just like I do with any other woman in my life – through jokes and laughter, commiserating in the pain of one more set of squats, and starting to share little bits and pieces of our lives: our hopes, our fears, and our faith.On hikes outdoors we joined the men and I grew to find these guys my big little brothers. I could bring into the mix my experience hiking, but learned about mountaineering with the team. We worked up to Mt. Hood. It was incredibly amazing and difficult. By the time it was over we were a family forged by suffering and success. Mt. Rainier was a time I’ll never forget. There is something to be said about doing the hardest physical and mental thing you’ve ever done in the company of a team that is like family. When you think you can’t do it – and someone alongside you says, “I know you can” and they push you even when you hate them for it. Later you love them for it.
The hard work and the time together melted all perceived barriers. We were one team, struggling together and supporting each other together. On our ladies’ team the sisterhood was fierce – we cried together over broken relationships due to addiction, and hoped with one another for God’s healing power. We shared our vulnerable needs and found everyone a bit ashamed to say how much they felt like they were unlovable and yet shyly eager to receive love. We went to court hearings and weddings together – the running store and the 7-11 for post workout Slurpees. Not only did I realize I could climb incredibly difficult mountains with the help of my friends – but I realized that these friends were the ones that I would keep for life.
-
Christian Downs
How it all began…
It all started with trying to fit in with a crowd that I “thought” were “friends”. I was raised better, I knew better, I can’t believe I ever used drugs; it went from cocaine, to crack, to pain pills, to heroin. With each change it got worse, until the people that were always around me were gone. I was making good money and stayed employed while addicted to opiates; but the double lifestyle could only be hid and functional for so long. I found myself alone and enslaved to the next session of getting high. I was using non-stop just to maintain, feel normal, and not be sick. It was just a matter of time before I would end up homeless, in prison, or dead.
Luckily, it didn’t get that far, I was never homeless. A work intervention sent me to a program (28-day) that I completed to appease others and keep my job, but I wasn’t ready to get clean. After losing my job and getting desperate, I entered the Climbing Out of Homelessness (COH) program and the UGM recovery program together. It was a big part of my success. I have been clean off of all drugs for 5 years now.
It gave me something positive to look forward to. It gave me people that were there for me in good times and difficult ones. I finally had real friends that were doing positive things and not just getting high. It helped me turn into a person that does the right thing for the right reasons, and not just when someone is looking or for recognition. It helped me to put others ahead of myself and to trust people. I then also became worthy of being trusted. Most of all, it motivated me to get outdoors and see more of the beauty of God’s creation with healthy community. I believe the COH program will help others, like it helped me to find the life I was meant to live.
I still love to hike, and do so often with climb team alumni as well as my wife Kari of two years. My climbing experience helps me often relate to people from many backgrounds while working with Alpha USA as the Regional Director of Washington State. I will continue to Climb trails, but more importantly the mountains of life. Thanks COH.
