Category Archives: Real Stories

Ed Robinson carries around in his wallet this picture of himself (on the left) to remind him of where he came from.  Read his story in his own words:
“There was a time in my life when I felt like the storm would never dissipate.  Being homeless 13 years and dealing in dark places kept me in a life of despair.  After losing hope and having nowhere to turn, I needed a way out.  I tried and tried to do it alone not knowing that I was my own problem.
In life, we learn numerous things, but it takes tough situations and many trials before we understand the grace of God.  I remember having socks frozen to my feet, but now my feet are warm and dry.  I remember hiding in the back of a public building to stay dry from the rain, but now I can sleep peacefully in my own apartment.  I remember having no answers, but now I trust in Christ, even if I still don’t have all the answers.
I’ve come in and out of the Whosoever Gospel Mission maybe 11 times.  It took a while—for me it was a process.  Every time I came, I picked up something I hadn’t seen the last time.  It was like putting a puzzle together.   And then one day, it clicked: I was in the way of myself.  I had tried to save myself, but it was my own pride that kept me from
finding true stability and wisdom.  Now, I can see clearly that this puzzle I’ve been working on is about God and His work in my life.   I had thought I knew who God was and what He had done for me, but the focus was still on ME.   It was only when I put God first in my life
that I began to see things clearly.
I can’t thank the staff at the Mission enough for their patience.  When I came in the doors, I was spiritually broken.  I had no hope, no aspirations, no motivation.  The Whosoever Gospel Mission offered me all of these things.  Even as they gave me a
bed and food, they helped me to build character and integrity.  This program fosters camaraderie with our brothers and a relationship with the Lord.  The structure they provide is a necessary tool to rebuild our lives.
I thank God daily for all the places He’s brought me to, especially the Whosoever Gospel Mission.  I have learned something in every stage of my life, but what I treasure most is all that I have learned here at the Mission.”

Andrew Fratacelli is working diligently on his GED because he has a bigger goal in view – he wants to go to Bible College. In the past, Andrew struggled with a lack of motivation and self-discipline.  He didn’t know where he was going in life, much less how to get there. But since coming to the Mission, Andrew began making big changes in his attitude.  He started opening up his mind and heart to the Lord’s leading.  Today, Andrew says, “I just want to guide people to the Lord – to show them what He did for them on the cross, and why He did it.”  The Career Track Learning Program is helping Andrew get there, one step at a time.

Doug Armstrong says: “The Whosoever Gospel Mission Learning Lab has been a great experience for me.  It has helped me tremendously in my studies and in my life.  There are experienced teachers and great lab assistants to help you every step of the way.  When we go into the Careers Phase of the New Life Program, the Lab is excellent for job hunting on the web.  I just thank the Whosoever Gospel Mission and what they have done in the lives of men for so long.  I truly appreciate what I have learned since coming to the Mission.”

Christopher James says: “After graduating high school and going to college for two years, my life fell to pieces because of my addiction to drugs and alcohol.  This went on for many years until someone told me about the Whosoever Gospel Mission.  Since being at the Mission, I’m now attending classes in the Career Track Learning Program, and it’s been a tremendous help.  After being out of school some 30 odd years, the Learning Program has helped me to get back on track as far as my education is concerned.  I thank God for the Whosoever Gospel Mission and how it’s helping me to get a better perspective on my life.”

Eric Brown didn’t like school.  The Career Track Learning Program changed that.  Eric has grown in confidence as he’s strengthened his reading, writing & math skills.  He also learned how to use a computer, which he used to apply for a job at Kentucky Fried Chicken.  Eric was hired and is looking to graduate from the New Life Program and move out on his own once he saves up enough money.

HI.  MY NAME IS GREG DELGADO.  I’ve been thanking the Lord from the time I arrived at the Mission in July of ‘99 until the present.  I’m thanking him for the Mission and what it does in the lives of broken men like myself – men who come through these doors.  One way the Mission impacted my life was through the counseling they provided.  This counseling opened my mind and heart to see the wonders of God and his grace in my life.  The Mission is not just a place for getting off drugs and alcohol. For me, it’s a special place where encountering God has only been  the beginning.

Greg Delgado graduated from the Mission’s New Life Program in 2000 and has served on the Mission’s staff ever since. Now he serves as Operations Manager and Chaplain.  Greg is pictured here with wife Tracy and daughter Abby.
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MY NAME IS RICHARD FRANKS.  The Whosoever Gospel Mission gave me life saving assistance when I made a wrong turn on life’s highway (I started using drugs).  In short, I turned from God.  At the Mission God restored my love for Jesus and provided me with the tools I needed to stop my abuse of drugs.  The Mission also helped me repair my marriage and find a church home.  Of all the rehab programs I have tried, the Whosoever Gospel Mission was the only one that worked for me.
After finishing the 2-stage program in 2009, I was hired as a staff member and have recently been promoted to assistant store manager at the Mission’s Lighthouse Thrift Shop.  I am thankful to the Mission for all it has done in my life.  For me, God used the Whosoever Gospel Mission to turn lemons into lemonade!

Richard Franks graduated from the Mission’s New Life Program in 2009 and currently serves  as Assistant Manager of the Mission’s Lighthouse Thrift Shop.  He recently renewed his marriage vows with his wife, Lena, at their home church in Germantown, Crossroads Evangelistic Church.

I dropped out of high school, setting in motion a cycle of procrastination that eventually became a well-developed pattern in my life.  Never having finished school, I falsified information on job applications and my resume.  Eventually, I began to feel ashamed of myself and what I was doing.  One day, I realized that it didn’t have to be this way.
When I was in school, I didn’t think I could measure up to the standards required of me academically.  But I now believe that I can through the power of Christ.  God is a Finisher – He finishes what He starts.  Now I want to finish what I started, too.
With my new desire to work for real change in many areas of my life, God began to make available to me tools and resources for the task at hand.  One of those resources is the Learning Lab at the Whosoever Gospel Mission.  Once I entered the Career Track Learning Program, I had access to teachers and tutors, as well as classes geared toward my success.  I found people who genuinely cared about me – people who wanted to help me achieve my goal.
I’m currently working on my GED, and am excited to tackle what seemed like an unattainable goal until now.  The teachers and staff have persevered with me through many struggles and setbacks.  They continue to encourage and help me every step of the way.
The results are now evident, and my goal is close at hand.  What joy it brings my heart, seeing something that seemed impossible now becoming possible!

It’s 2001 and my whole world comes crashing down. I buried my mother – Doris  Tanner Matthews – the best friend I ever had in this world and a good mother.  Without her love and support, I started drinking and soon after turned to drugs.  I was losing control of my life fast. My relationship with a friend fell apart, and I lost the job that I loved, working at the Alden Park Luxury Apartments.  When I lost my job, I lost my home, too (one of my benefits was a luxury apartment worth  $1,400 a month at no charge).

I t’s now early 2003.  I’m living in my car. The weather’s starting to break, and I have nowhere to go.  I’m sitting in Vernon Park when a thought comes to me-the Whosoever Gospel Mission…

Hi. My name is Gregory Delgado and this is my story. I have been an abuser of drugs and alcohol for most of my life. It became more evident when I was discharged from the Navy. At that time my drinking and drug abuse became more severe – I woke up drinking, went to bed drugged, and I did not know what happened in between.

I have been to several rehabs to get my life in order, but nothing seemed to work. I came to the Whosoever Gospel Mission in June of 1999 after hearing about it from another homeless man (yes, I was homeless at the time, too). My journey began when I decided to give the Mission a chance. While at the Mission I not only got the help I needed but also received counseling. It was in those counseling sessions that I opened up for the first time in a long time. My stay at the Mission began to mean something to me.

A few months after coming to the Mission I was asked if I would like to be part of the Mission’s staff, so I joined and eventually became the store manager.

While at the Mission I learned that I had a daughter. My relationship with my daughter today thrives – only because of God’s grace and mercy. I thank God for all the changes in my life and for the instrument he used in the form of the Whosoever Gospel Mission and its staff. I now live a life worth living and have a wonderful daughter, Chelsea, to share it with. Thank you!

My name is Charles Drake; this is my story. After a brief stint in prison and my release in the year 2001, I yet again indulged in my addiction. I spent about 5 months of pure madness on the streets of Philadelphia. My addiction reached back to my teenage years.
A pastor recommended that I call the Whosoever Gospel Mission. I called and they told me to come in, and I did. At the Mission I was welcomed with open arms. I spent much time in different rehabs over the years, and always went right back to my addiction. But after nine months in the Mission and its program, my life changed. That change still works in me to this day in 2008.

I completed the program in July 2002. Before leaving I began working for a limousine company. Within one month I became an independent limousine contractor and still am to this day. Now I am better known as C DRAKE LIMO. I thank God daily for saving me, and I thank the Whosoever Gospel Mission for being instrumental in the significant changes in my life.

Hi, my name is Joe Rice. My story starts 21 years ago. I started using cocaine and my life spiraled out of control. Near the end I lived under the 30th Street Bridge for seven years, in and out of jail and hospitals, wasting my whole adult life.

One day me and a group of friends were wandering around center city streets and walked up on a man and asked him for some money. He refused, but he said ‘I’ll buy y’all some food,’ so we went with him to a restaurant named Tony’s and we tried to be funny and order a lot of stuff. But he didn’t care. He read the Bible to us and said, ‘Try Jesus and your life could change.’  He told us we didn’t have to live this way and offered to take us to the Whosoever Gospel Mission.

I did eventually go to the Mission where I overcame my addiction, built a new relationship with my family and got a full-time job. In 2004 a full-time position in the Mission’s Lighthouse Thrift Shop became available and they hired me. I was on staff at the Mission for over 3 years.  Since the arson fire, a lot of people ask, ‘Where are all the men?’ I am one of them. I thank God for the Whosoever Gospel Mission.