Becoming the Man He Was Always Meant to Be

John has always been creative at heart. Music, art, painting, poetry—these are the ways he makes sense of the world. But for years, that part of John was buried beneath addiction, shame, and the weight of poor choices fueled by the wrong crowd.

“I always had a good heart,” John says. “I just got caught up in the wrong crowd.”

Today, John is seven months clean and building a life defined not by who he was, but by who he is becoming.

A turning point in John’s journey came through baptism at City Mission. At the time, John was working through something he found even harder than recovery itself: forgiving himself. During the Mission’s baptism class, he learned that baptism is about renewal, forgiveness, and becoming new.

“It’s about rededication,” John explains. “About forgiving yourself and moving forward.”

The day of his baptism was deeply emotional. John watched babies being dedicated, then women being baptized, but what moved him most was watching his peers: the men he lived alongside at the Mission. Seeing grown men cry openly, surrendering their pasts and committing to a new life, broke through something in him.

“I felt different afterward,” John says. “Like I was wanted here. Like I accomplished something.”

At City Mission, baptisms are taken seriously—and John takes it seriously, too. He holds himself to a new standard now: unconditional love, forgiveness, integrity, and accountability.

“I’m more conscientious to walk the walk,” he says.

John no longer defines himself by his past.

“I am not John the drug dealer, the kingpin. That’s not who I am,” he says.

“I am John the poet, the artist, the man who has compassion for others.”

For John, identity is rooted in love. “When I reflect on who I truly am,” he says, “you are what you love.”

That love now fuels his desire to leave a legacy, especially for his five children, ages 8 to 15, whom he is incredibly proud of.

“I want my kids to hear, ‘Your dad was an awesome person. He helped so many people.’”

And John is already doing just that.

Known throughout the Mission for his positivity and strong work ethic, John looks for ways to serve wherever he can. With his barber certification, he cuts the hair of other residents—an act of goodwill and dignity for men who often arrive with nothing.

He’s also pursuing a stable future. Through City Mission’s Career Training and Education Center, John received help updating his resume, applying to Penn Commercial, and securing financial aid. He was accepted into the welding program—a skill he hopes will not only provide steady employment, but also allow him to combine his technical training with his love for art.

“They taught me to be honest about my background,” John says. “Dress well. Engage. Ask questions.”

“I’m a hard worker with a smile.”

As a Resident Assistant in the men’s house, John helps new residents navigate life at the Mission. He gives away his own clothes and shoes, shows men who to ask for help, and models what it looks like to trust the process. With the guidance of his house coordinator, John has learned how to lead by example.

The most important lesson he’s learned at City Mission?

“How to be responsible, independent, and to always grow,” he says. “And growth isn’t always about you, it’s about helping other people grow.”

Each morning, John begins his day in the chapel, doing devotions with fellow residents.

“I wake up happy now,” he says.

“I wasn’t always like that. I used to wake up miserable, full of shame, guilt, and anger at my life. But now, I wake up happy.”

John Slade is building a new legacy—one rooted in faith, service, creativity, and hope. And every day, he’s becoming more fully the man he was always meant to be.