Luther’s Story

Luther Aaron was in a bad place.

His life had been marked by hardship, from growing up in poverty on Atlanta's Westside to losing loved ones to drugs and generational poverty.

Despite the challenges, Luther bravely served in the Army for three years before PTSD led him down a path of addiction to crack cocaine, a habit he was unable to shake for 34 years. Despite moments of clarity and attempts to get clean, Luther found himself trapped in a cycle of despair.

On top of it all, his foot had to be amputated after a wound went untreated. He became homeless, and the future looked bleak.

However, everything changed when Luther learned about The 345, City of Refuge’s men’s housing program. Here, he found not just shelter, but a lifeline to hope and healing.

In just four months, Luther has made remarkable progress on his journey of rehabilitation and renewal. With the support of our dedicated team, he has received a prosthetic leg and begun the journey back to work. Through counseling and therapy, he’s learning invaluable coping skills and addressing past trauma. Most importantly, Luther has remained sober since his arrival, a testament to his resilience and determination.

But perhaps the most exciting news is that Luther has secured a housing voucher, paving the way for him to find permanent housing and independence. With newfound purpose, he dreams of helping others by sharing his story.

“I want to be one of those people who can sit down, tell my life story, and help somebody else. My life has been hard, and I don't want anyone to go through that. But I can't help anybody until I get myself right. That's what I'm trying to do today.”

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