Mikey’s Journey

A Tale of Redemption and Modern-Day Miracles

Mikey’s story is truly a modern-day miracle. A narrative of triumph over the clutches of addiction and the healing power of faith.

Mikey grew up in a quiet Pennsylvania suburb with his family. At a young age, his father died by suicide, leaving young Mikey confused, his life shattered.

The loss of his father at such a young age, coupled with a move to a new neighborhood, left him grappling with pain and a void that seemed never-ending.

He was introduced to drugs around 12 years old and found they could provide an escape from the harsh realities of life. Experimentation soon became part of a daily struggle, moving from weed and alcohol to prescription drugs like Adderall.

Despite being a star athlete with the potential for a bright future, his addiction resulted in him being expelled from multiple schools and missing key opportunities to showcase his talent.

Tragedy struck again at 16 when Mikey’s brother and closest friend, took his own life.

Desperate for an escape, Mikey turned to heroin, attempting to numb the pain and end his life. A failed suicide attempt transformed into a dangerous love affair with the very substance that nearly claimed his life.

For six years, Mikey found himself in and out of over 50 facilities, including psychiatric wards, rehab centers, and jails. His life became a cycle of despair, theft, and drug abuse, pushing him to the brink of self-destruction. 

But in the heart of Kensington, amid his darkest days, a divine intervention would occur.

His first experience with God happened during an overdose. Mikey had been revived through the use of Narcan only to find two women praying over him. While he wasn’t able to receive this gift at the time it would start a series of events too powerful to explain other than the work of God.

A day later, one of his friends called him out of the blue to offer him help and a place to stay. When he arrived at his friend’s house, he met his mom, a woman he felt like he had known. As they began to talk, she asked him if he had been in Kensington a few days prior and if he had overdosed. When he said yes, she revealed that she and her friend had been those very women who had prayed for him.

Mikey went on to do a 35 day stint in a treatment center before arriving at Teen Challenge. He vividly recalls his drive up to “God’s Mountain” where the lyrics from Cory Asbury’s song “Reckless Love” stirred up old feelings. He began to sob as the song continued to play.

While Mikey’s early days at Teen Challenge were marked by skepticism, a powerful sermon based on Psalm 51 broke down walls within him. Tears flowed as he repented, and a spiritual awakening began to take root. The pastor’s words continued to guide Mikey through breakthroughs, laying the foundation for his eventual graduation and a six-month internship.

However, the journey was not without its challenges. While working at Teen Challenge, Mikey decided to venture off-site and ended up relapsing, leading to a life-threatening overdose.

When Mikey awoke, he found himself in a hospital on life support. He was facing organ failure and a critical diagnosis that put him in a bed for life, or death. In a moment of desperation, he pleaded with God for a purpose, vowing to use his life to help others if granted a second chance.

The next day over 30 doctors filed into his room. They continued to come in and out, whispering in the halls. Mikey became concerned expecting the news to be bad.

What happened next was nothing short of a miracle from God.

His doctor came in and explained that test results had shown his organs to be fully healed. They couldn’t understand this extreme and sudden healing but told him he was going to make a full recovery.

With that news, he called his pastor at Teen Challenge and was welcomed back with open arms. Returning to Teen Challenge, Mikey underwent rehabilitation, completing his treatment with newfound determination.

Today, Mikey tells his story to others struggling with the same affliction.

He talks about the resilience of the human spirit and the unwavering support provided by Teen Challenge. Despite setbacks, the program stood by him, embodying the grace and forgiveness that became instrumental in Mikey’s remarkable turnaround. Today, engaged and on the path to a career as a Certified Recovery Specialist, Mikey’s journey serves as an inspiration—a testament to the transformative power of faith, perseverance, and the unwavering belief in second chances.

Kensington Outreach

Every Tuesday, the PAATC team joins Philadelphia City Officials and key providers for a collaborative huddle to address broad issues and strengthen relationships within the community. The agenda includes:

Assessments: We assess each individual to identify their specific needs, connecting them with the appropriate services.  

Coordination for HLOC (Higher Levels of Care) to help individuals find suitable PAATC treatment options or to coordinate access to appropriate services.

Transportation assistance for those in need to ensure they can access support services.

Providing clothing and hygiene products from Blessing Closet to individuals in our programs during their stay.

How can you help in Kensington?

Community involvement is vital to our outreach efforts.

If you’d like to help, we invite you to:

Donate warm clothing, toiletries or hygiene products by calling or emailing our Admissions team to coordinate donations.

AdmissionsTeam@Paatc.org

Donate to our Scholarship Fund to help the many patients who lack insurance or the ability to pay for services. Your donation to the scholarship fund is a blessing that allows access to services for those who need it most.