From Drifting to Direction: Tad's Story 

For a long time, Tad’s life felt like it was going nowhere, no matter how hard he worked.

After losing his job at an auto plant, he moved from place to place, picking up short-term work and carrying years of addiction, depression, and distance from his family. The days blurred together. “It didn’t matter how much money I made,” Tad says. “I wasn’t building anything. I was just surviving.”

Applying to City of Refuge was not Tad’s idea. His mom encouraged him to try. He was skeptical. He had seen promises before and watched them fall apart. But when he stepped onto campus, something felt different. This was not a place offering quick fixes. It was a place that expected effort and offered support in return.

At The 345, Tad found structure and accountability. He rebuilt confidence alongside practical life skills. He regained his driver’s license after twenty years. He completed automotive training and earned industry certification, opening doors he never thought possible. He began working as a facilities apprentice on campus, gaining hands-on experience and consistency.

Now, in a milestone that is still fresh, Tad has just stepped into full-time employment with MARTA. It’s a new beginning, one that represents stability, dignity, and the first real glimpse of a future he can sustain.

Along the way, relationships with his family began to heal.

Today, Tad’s goals are simple and achievable. Remain sober. Grow in this new role. Save for his own place. Bring his teenage son home. For the first time in years, those goals feel realistic because he is no longer walking alone.

City of Refuge chooses to walk with people at the moment when hope feels thinnest, and the path forward is uncertain.

Because of your generosity, people like Tad have access to training, accountability, and steady support through both setbacks and victories. Even when the ending is not yet clear, you choose to walk alongside them. Tad’s journey at City of Refuge is a testament to the power of structured support, accountability, and personal commitment. From surviving to thriving, he is proof that with the right environment and determination, it is possible to rebuild a life, regain confidence, and move toward a future full of stability and hope. City of Refuge didn’t just help Tad find his footing—it helped him find hope again.

Help us bring more light, hope, and transformation to people like Tad. Join our monthly giving community, City Lights, and be a part of a movement of individuals who support City of Refuge on a consistent basis and receive exclusive monthly updates. To make a one-time donation, click here.