Phil’s life was in shambles when he first walked through our doors on July 1st, 2008. He had lost everything to drug addiction, but when he found us, he felt hope.
As a child, Phil was deprived of the stability every kid deserves; instead, he experienced neglect and physical and mental abuse. Adding to this instability was his family’s excessive use of alcohol.
When he left home and started a family, his occasional drinking and marijuana use was recreational—that is, until his wife miscarried twins. The tragedy destroyed his life. And his marriage. Phil escaped into drugs—pot, cocaine, crack—he didn’t care, and his drug use continued for over 15 years.
On that fate-filled day back in 2008, Gospel Rescue Mission was there to help Phil find a safe and supportive environment where he could overcome his addiction. He found genuine love and support from the other guests, staff, and volunteers and was given the tools and principles he needed to recover. Phil also reconnected with Jesus while at GRM and learned that God has a plan for his life.
Phil’s life was so transformed that he dedicated the rest of his life to serving those struggling with hunger and hardship in Tucson. Phil’s story is one of hope and inspiration. GRM changed the trajectory of his life.