Soul’s Harbor’s 1^st Annual
Golf Tournament…

Soul’s Harbor is having its first annual golf tournament on Monday, July 15 at 9:30 AM. The golf tournament will be held at Twin Creek Golf Club in Allen, Texas. The cost is $100 per golfer. There are also sponsorship opportunities. For more information please contact our board member Danny Wilson at 972-345-1150 or dannywilson@allstate.com

The Coward and the Comeback Kid…

Hello, my name is Chad and I’m a recovering drug addict. On July 3rd, I will have two years clean and sober. Words will never be able to express what Soul’s Harbor has done to help me in my life. The program, the people, the staff, and all aspects of Soul’s Harbor saved my life. I was addicted to methamphetamine for over 20 years and have been in several treatment centers, prison, and court-ordered recovery houses, but nothing has worked. I was able to get clean, but staying clean was impossible. I was completely at my bottom and was in trouble, my life was over. Then for some unforeseen reason, Souls Harbor came into my life, I had no idea what I was in for and how my life would change.

It all started in Abilene Texas, which is where I was born and raised. I come from a good family. No one suffers from this disease in my family. I’ve always wondered why I suffered from this horrible disease. Looking back, I know now that the gravity of the situation would put my family through, would impact them for years after. It would put stress and strain on the people that I said I loved the most. I became this insidious monster that cared for nothing except the next high. I remember my father looked at me one time and said, “Chad you know that this is going to kill you, right?” I looked him square in the eye and said, “Yeah I know dad.”

I was raised in a middle-class family and had every opportunity to be successful in my life. People would always tell me that I missed my calling, that I had a kind face and was likable. “You speak really well and have a lot of knowledge when you speak.” My parents worked hard for their whole life. They come from a different generation; baby boomers prove to be highly successful and show a lot of characteristics that don’t exist today. I joined the Army after graduating from Wylie High School and served 2 years in Desert Shield & Desert Storm. During that period of time in my life, I only used drugs recreationally. When I returned from the Army and completed my term, I began a pattern of drug use that would haunt me for 23 years. The Fact is I was running, running from myself, the truth, from what seemed like whoever was chasing me, and everyone was chasing me.

I started using cocaine and it always wound up costing me my job. I was still getting good jobs because of my service. I couldn’t keep them though, and would not show up for numerous reasons. I was exhausting all my resources and my addiction had started to show. It starts out as something different; maybe you don’t act the same. Or as my dad would say, “When you don’t come around, I know something’s up.” Then one day I was introduced to methamphetamine; I was in love. I couldn’t believe the way it made me feel, invincible like I could do anything. The world was at my feet and it owed me. As I fell further into the underbelly of the drug culture, everything was slowly being erased from my life. The scary part was, I could see it and I didn’t care, not about my family, my relationships, my jobs, or even my life. I stayed in relentless pursuit of meth. I was in a constant state of need. Then the law quickly got involved and now I have legal issues. Probation, parole, prison and I thought that this was my penitence. I just gave up and would be alright with the fact that I was probably not going to live long.

I was at my parents’ house one day in 2017, after begging them to let me stay there because I was sick and it was cold. The phone rang and it was my uncle. My dad was talking to him about me and what was going on. After the phone call, my dad told my mom something and it wasn’t long afterward that my mom approached me. She said, “Chad I have a deal for you if you will go to treatment, your dad and I will let you stay here until you can get in.” I didn’t need much time to think about it and said yes. My uncle recommended a place in Dallas called Soul’s Harbor. I called and was told that there was a waiting list and to call every few days. I would call as instructed and was not getting anywhere. Frustration set in, and that feeling came back and my disease started telling me things. By the grace of God, I got the phone call the next morning. I would be on the next bus to Dallas.

At Soul’s Harbor, my life would undergo a radical change. I would enter into the program and learn so many things and reasons why I behaved the way I did. The way in which the program is laid out, it allows you to grow and gain the understanding to accept that all addicts are powerless over their addiction. I learned cognitive skills and coping skills, how to work with others, and sponsorship. The biggest thing for me is sponsorship and being guided through the steps. The staff, and even the other clients taught me how to use the tools that I was learning. They taught me acceptance and that even though it’s a tall order, I just do it one day at a time.

My life today is completely different and I have serenity; that to me is one of the greatest highs I’ve ever known. I don’t hide today and I show up in my life. I have acceptance in all areas of my life. My family is the most important thing today. I work an honest program and I do it one day at a time. I use my tools and if I have questions or I’m in a high-risk situation, I call my support team and my sponsor. I do recover, and with daily maintenance, and spiritual principles I will continue to be blessed in my life. There’s something magical about that old building in southeast Dallas. I work with others, and I get out of my selfish self-centered ways. Today I get to live happy, joyous, and free. All I have to do is give it to someone else, the way it was given to me.

We need your help…

Soul’s Harbor homeless shelter is supported solely by our four thrift stores. You can donate your household items via phone (972-286-1940) or our “Household Donation Request Form” page. We also take automobiles “Vehicle Donation Request Form“. So if you have old clothes, furniture, appliances, household items, or even a car to donate to Soul’s Harbor, either fill out our online form or call our dispatch office at 972-286-1940. Our dispatch office is open Monday through Saturday from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

We are sustained solely through our four thrift store sales. We rely on your donated items to support our shelter. At Soul’s Harbor, we would like to thank all our customers that donate their items and also our thrift store customers. Because without our customers, there would be no Soul’s Harbor.

Thank you and God Bless.

Brent Burmaster
Executive Director of Soul’s Harbor Homeless Shelter

Dispatch Representative/Main Contact Number:
Soul’s Harbor, Incorporated
13134 Nile Drive
Dallas, Texas 75253
972.286.1940
972.286.5282 Fax
contact@soulsharbordallas.org

Thank you so much for your financial consideration. Note, your tax-deductible contributions may also be submitted through PayPal to donate@soulsharbordallas.org.*Please note: Users of Internet Explorer 8 and above may experience difficulties with our PayPal “Donate” button. Please access PayPal directly to make a financial contribution to Soul’s Harbor, Inc. Thank you!