Six days a week you’ll find Drew sorting donated apparel in our Thrift Shop. His dedication to the job and spiritual growth since he came to our Men’s Shelter have led to his moving from a shared living space in our nine-bed A-Dorm — reserved for our most tenured and spiritually mature residents — and into one of four coveted private rooms in that same program.

A native of McCordsville, Indiana, Drew has taken big steps forward in his walk with God in the four years after he arrived at the shelter homeless and battling an alcohol addiction. Through the shelter’s nightly chapel services and his active participation in Bible studies, God has given Drew victory over the drinking problem that left him homeless and at odds with family and has become more like the man God wants him to be.

In meeting with his Good News counselor over many months, Drew’s battles with depression and shame over decades of alcoholism and sinful living are gone. What’s more, he’s attending Faith Baptist Church in Avon, Indiana, three times a week and inviting family and friends to join him.

Drew’s spiritual transformation has spilled over into other areas of his life. Specifically, his daily work routine. As Drew has shown himself faithful to his tasks at the Thrift Shop he’s taken on greater responsibility, to the point where he is now Assistant Manager.

Drew’s servant heart extends beyond his Thrift Shop duties. Still a licensed barber, he offers haircuts to fellow shelter residents.

All this has culminated in Drew’s earning his own private room in just over three years since moving into A-Dorm and, before that, about a year in the 66-bed B-Dorm. Along with more privacy Drew enjoys added privileges such as receiving meal tickets early, having a television and laptop computer in his room and being excused from the twice-daily roll call. Should Drew continue to show progress he could be eligible to share a Good News-owned home with a few other men as part of our Operation Next Step — a 24-month program for men transitioning back into society and independent living. 

Drew said he’ll continue serving the Lord at Good News for as long as his Savior wills. “I’ll leave it up to God. I’ll know when the time is right, but right now me working at Good News, that’s what I need.”