July 2022 Newsletter
Hi, I am Derrick, and I am an addict. I was born on October 24, 1968. My parents were Odis and Fayrene Wallace. I was the youngest of two siblings, who are both deceased now. I had a great childhood; I was an excellent student with good grades up until high school. Kids teased me and called me a nerd. I was uncomfortable living in my own skin. So, when I got into high school, I decided to change all that by playing basketball for the school. My popularity began to grow, and more girls liked me. I was in the news and on television… I still was not who I wanted to be. I started drinking and smoking marijuana. It made me feel like I was finally exactly who I wanted to be. I was the epitome of socialness. I could not ask for much more. My parents bought me a car; I had it all. Of course, my grades dropped but since I was an athlete, I passed every course. In high school, I played with Larry Johnson, who went on to play professional basketball for the NBA. I graduated high school and went to college. I went to Lon Morris Junior College. At that time, this college was the # 1 Junior College in the world of basketball. I bottomed out in college quickly. That was the downturn in my life. I had to come home and face all the people I had let down. Now, I was a nobody. I spent the next 30 years spiraling out of control. I began to drink heavily and snort and smoke cocaine every day. The police arrested me and charged me with possession of a controlled substance on more than one occasion. The courts placed me on probation. I would go in and out of rehabilitation centers for the next 20 years nothing seemed to work. I eventually married and had three children, none whom I raised due to my addictions. Every job I worked, my money went to drugs, alcohol, and prostitutes. After the passing of my mother, I went to no ends in my addiction. I lost everything including my inheritance, my relations with family. Everyone turned their backs on me. At this point, I am willing to do anything for sobriety and peace of mind. I came to Soul’s Harbor on June 6, 2021. I did everything Soul’s Harbor asked of me; it was the hardest 6 months of my life. I gave all of me and continue to invest in my recovery to this day. Soul’s Harbor saved my life. I obtained a sponsor, worked the 12 Steps Program, and graduated. I have continued to live a sober lifestyle. Now I am the Recovery Manager here at Soul’s Harbor. I have dedicated the rest of my life in helping men who struggle with addictions. Since then, God has given me back everything that I lost and much more. My family says I am their HERO now. If I can get clean, anyone can. I thank God for Soul’s Harbor.
Donation Request…
After many years of use and over 300K miles, one of our property vans died. The motor went out, and it is too expensive to replace. We are looking for a minivan, which could be donated to our program. The property vehicles are for doctor’s appointments, court dates, probation appointments and transporting guys to work or outside meetings. This is one of the many ways we assist our clients to get their lives back on track. Vehicle donations are also a tax write off.
If you can help, please call our main number 972-286-1940.
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
For information regarding intake/admission into our recovery facility, please contact:
Dispatch Representative
Soul’s Harbor, Inc.
13134 Nile Drive
Dallas, Texas 75253
972.286.1940
972.286.5282 Fax
Soul’s Harbor Substance Abuse Program Questions and Intake
Please contact our intake Manager
Cell number 214-663-9684
contact@soulsharbordallas.org
New Online Donation Processing:
Soul’s Harbor, Inc.
13134 Nile Drive
Dallas, Texas 75253
972.286.1940
972.286.5282 Fax
donate@soulsharbordallas.org
Soul’s Harbor can now provide the convenience of taking your donation request online. Just follow the link to our online “Household Donation Request Form”. We are also now taking vehicle donations and have an online donation processing form for this too. “Vehicle Donation Request Form”
To help Soul’s Harbor financially you can donate by clicking the donate button.