Hi my name is Ivan and I am 23 years old. Before I was in Operation Dawn I was in jail. The reason why I was in jail was because I would do drugs and go on a string of criminal activities such as stealing and break and entering. This wasn’t my first time going to jail, but this last time I went to jail, I asked myself a few questions. Why am I in here again? Do I really want to spend the rest of my life like this? I told myself I need to stop doing drugs and I don’t want my life to be like this. But the final question I asked myself was, how many times have I been going in and out of jail these past years? Then it hit me that when I try to count how many times I have been in and out of jail, I don’t remember exactly how many times. That made me realized that it was time for a change. Luckily, one day my mom came to visit me in jail and told me a good news. My mom told me about Operation Dawn and at first, I was against going but after thinking about it for a week, I realized that this might be the help I need to change myself for the better and to quit drugs for good. The next visit I got from my mom I told her that I decided to go and try this OD program when I get released out of jail. When I got out I went straight to OD. After the first two months I got used to it and I enjoyed my stay at OD. The teachers here are really nice and kind-hearted. They show their kindness because they are willing to sit down and listen to our issues/problems and gives us advice to help us. Also, they are always buying food and snacks for us.
My experience here at Operation Dawn, I would have to say it was excellent because I learned a lot of things like the Bible because before coming in here, I knew nothing about it. Also, I’m a hands on guy and I got a chance to learn how to fix up bikes here. I made new friends here too. I am surrounded with people that just cares and loves you, it is a really good feeling. I am not a believer but at the same time I will continue to go to church when I finish the program because I believe whatever the pastor preaches applies to our daily lives. It would also be a good way to make new friends. I would also want to keep in touch with the friends I made in here when I’m out of OD.