Justin’s Story

My name is Justin, and today I’m a graduate and intern at Great Lakes Adult & Teen Challenge-but my life didn’t always look like this.

For years, I battled addiction to opioids, alcohol, and meth. That struggle led me down a dark path marked by homelessness, hopelessness, overdoses, suicide attempts, prison time, and multiple felonies. I lost my family’s trust, my children’s confidence in me, my union job, and my home. I knew God was the answer-but I kept trying to do life my own way.

At my lowest point, I was sitting in jail facing the possibility of decades in prison. During a prayer circle, I heard about Great Lakes Adult & Teen Challenge and applied with a small spark of hope. I took a plea deal knowing my future was completely out of my hands. By God’s grace, the judge court-ordered me into the program instead of prison.

That decision changed everything.

Since coming to Great Lakes Adult & Teen Challenge, God has transformed my life. I am sober. I am alive. My relationships with my family have been restored. I get to spend holidays with my children. I’ve found healing, purpose, and salvation-and I’m living in the freedom of God’s grace and mercy every day.

When you participate in the New Day 5K, you’re not just running or walking-you’re helping make stories like mine possible. Thank you for supporting lives being restored and futures being rewritten.

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2026 New Day 5K

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