Meet Derik

I would like to tell you about Derik who is one of our members. Derik got out of prison a year ago in March. That is when he started coming to the PARC. Derik is in his late 4o's and due to his addiction to drugs has been to prison multiple times. His journey with the PARC is a story that I think is meaningful to tell because it represents why the PARC is so significant and the impact so important.

When Derik first came he began to adjust to the community at the PARC and to make friends. It is through one of those friendships that he found a job washing dishes at the Amarillo Club. I remember the day that he looked across the table at his friend who had helped him get the job and said, "I just want to thank you for recommending me for this job. For the very first time in my life, I am getting a real paycheck, where they take out taxes and everything. Thank you." Derik has to be at work around 9:00, and since it is so close to the PARC he starts his day here every day. He asked us if we would change Bible Study from 9:00 to 8:30 so he could come.

Derik loves Bible Study. He doesn't know the stories and always wants us to jump ahead so he can know how it ends. We tell him, "No spoiler alerts unless you read it for yourself". It is wonderful to hear his perspective on what we read each day. There have been many days when Derik was tired and worn out. He wanted to quit. He didn't want to wash another dish. Those days we encouraged him. We reminded him of how much he had changed and what a hard worker he was. I don't blame him. Some days he would work a 12-hour shift, standing on his feet, washing dishes and pots and pans alllllll day! He would then walk back to the shelter to try to get some rest only to get up the next day and do it all over again. But, Derik kept beginning his day at the PARC and going to work every day. In the meantime, he got 2 raises and a bonus!

Derik has known for a while that it was time to move out of the shelter and get his own place, but he is scared. He keeps putting it off, and we keep reminding him that he is not the same man he used to be. He is a new man and he can do this!! This week is moving day! He has saved up money, is renewing his license tomorrow, and plans on buying a car. I don't know what the future holds for Derik, but I have high hopes. I believe in him. He has proved himself over and over. He turned 50 last week. It's a good time to start.

This is what the PARC does. We are here every day to remind them and help them to remember. We are here to help them see that they are valuable and that they CAN do it! It changes everything. It sure has for Derik.