Aaron’s Story

This time last year, after making some unfortunate choices, Aaron found himself being removed from a local leadership training program. He felt the heavy burden of being judged and he also lost access to a fellowship that was designed to encourage him and help him grow.

Rising Leaders stepped in and pursued him with a restorative faith community. We encouraged him to take responsibility for the young family he had started. At the “Empowering Voices” winter retreat, Aaron found the safety to be released from being an “accused sinner”. He found the courage to be the man of God that he wants to be. A month later, he was married and was determined to provide for his young wife and child.

In April, his young family ran into a crisis that led to them leaving the home they were living in. Aaron did not have access to a car or community resources. Rising Leaders gave him access to driver’s education and he was able to earn his driver’s license. Rising Leaders provided stabilization funds which allowed him to go through CityLink’s trades program, start a career in the trades, and get an affordable car. RL also provided a down payment on an apartment which allowed them to receive public assistance.

Aaron wants to be a man of God and take care of his family. He is learning to acknowledge the “snakes” of his past and how they bite at the heels of his desires for how he cares for his family. His absentee Dad taught him that a man fights through his problems or runs from them. But praise God for the abiding love of his Rising Leader Coach who walks through the valley of the shadows of death with him. He is learning the need for budgeting so that he can take care of his family the way he wants to. Aaron’s coach provides the safety he needs to be honest with himself and also with his wife — the first step to building a strong marriage. Aaron and his wife just had a second baby and he started a higher-paying job.