The Answer Is Tyrone grew up in Pasadena California as a black man and he was the minority. He loved his friends and family, but he never felt he belonged anywhere. He started smoking crack as a teen and did not stop until he was in his mid-twenties. Tyrone got clean in Portland Oregon after being homeless for many years. In recovery, he acquired a bachelor’s degree, a career in human resources as a director, bought a home, and became a single father to his son. In this episode, he talks about his road to recovery, his all-time lows, and how he has created a path to healing along the way. Tyrone is not perfect and relapse is a part of his story but he shows us the only mistake one can make in recovery is not coming back. You don’t want to miss this episode, get ready to be surprised and empowered!Do you feel your life is out of control? It doesn't have to be, there is a solution.

I have found that on my spiritual journey, not everyone who changes my life, or helps me elevate to the next level will be in recovery. That’s the beauty of recovery, we work the 12 steps to right our wrongs, change our defective belief systems, and re-enter the world better than we came in. I first met promise at a Civil Rights Debate & Dialogue event, hosted by the League of Minority Voters. The event was a space for candidates running for governor to discuss their stance on civil rights, and their potential plan to make Oregon a more supportive and inclusive environment for minorities. In attendance were democrats, republicans, independents, and non-partisan candidates peacefully occupying one space. I wondered what could possibly make people from such opposing backgrounds, civilly come together to address one matter. Once the candidates spoke at the podium, I quickly learned what they all had in common, a profound respect for Promise and the work he is doing. Shortly after that, I learned Promise founded League of Minority Voters. He became my mentor. We talked about God and the restoration that has been done in our lives. We are kindred spirits. Promise was one of the first people to believe in my potential for political leadership. He told me I should use everything in my life that I have gone through, to influence policy, and run for office. It was like he gave me permission to dream big. What blows me away about Promise is that he is from Africa, yet he lives in the United States advocating for, and educating minorities, even when he is not accepted among them. He says his confidence and trust is in God, not in the acceptance of people. In this episode Promise shares with me the difference between passion and purpose. I won’t spoil it for you so you’ll have to tune in for this life-changing message. Promise hasn’t always been amongst the political elites. He has faced pain, rejection, and even a near death experience. In fact, that is what changed the trajectory of his life. He tells how God has used all of it to better prepare, and equip him for the work he is doing now. You’ll be inspired no matter what your background is. Join us as Promise and I talk about God’s grace, and the endless possibilities each person has. Don’t miss this one! Join us on this transformative journey as Promise shares his remarkable story of redemption, resilience, and political leadership. Tune in to our podcast episode to discover the power of purpose and the endless possibilities that lie within each of us. Don't miss out on this life-changing message! #SpiritualJourney #Redemption #PoliticalLeadership #Transformation #Podcast #TuneInNow #Inspiration #Purpose #EndlessPossibilities

Maya Noble is a beautiful, intelligent, and vibrant woman. Maya grew up in North Portland and is not a stranger to drugs, crime, violence, and complete hopelessness. Although Maya had 4 children to raise, she found herself caught up in the grips of a serious drug addiction. Wanting a better life for herself but not seeing a way out, Maya sought help through the 12-Step Anonymous program of recovery. Maya recently celebrated 16 years of sobriety and has more than one reason to celebrate. Since being in recovery she has mended relationships with her children, went back to school for her GED, and now pursues her master’s degree in Social Work. She has a career in Health & Mental Health practices, owns her own home, and raises her youngest child and grandchild, both under the age of 10. Maya was one of the first faces I saw when I came into recovery. She welcomed me, encouraged me, and supported me as if I was the most important person in the world. She is poised, kind, and driven. Most important, Maya is sober and leads a life of dignity and integrity during a time young women need someone to look up to most. Don’t miss this heart-wrenching episode of Maya giving an intimate account of her battle with drugs and alcohol, and her journey through recovery. You’ll walk away feeling, if Maya can do it, anyone can! Do you feel like giving up? Has your life become out of control? Listen to this podcast and seek help at your nearest treatment center.

Roy is a respected and influential member in the Recovery community. He is not only respected for the work he’s done on himself, but he’s respected for the life he has built outside of recovery. I first encountered Roy at the Miracles Club during a recovery-speaker fundraiser. He accredited the Miracles Club for being the first safe place he and his siblings could call home as a child. He said the community there helped raise him, and helped his parents with their personal drug addiction as well. Roy opened up about his process through the 12-Step program. He said “I grew up in recovery” and I thought he meant he was forced to attend 12-Step meetings as a child. What he meant was he came into recovery a boy, and through the 12-Step process, he has grown into a man. Being around recovery at a young age planted the seed he would one day need to break free from his own self-made prison. The disease of addiction, like recovery, can make a person become almost unrecognizable. That is what happened to Roy. In this episode Roy tells his jaw-dropping story of going from being a drug dealer and into gang-life, to becoming an addict, and being his own best customer. Roy’s life like many addict’s, became a miserable existence, decaying emotionally with a crushing awareness that life would always be that way, unless he got help from a divine intervention. He turned to his loved ones for help and sought treatment. Roy gives insight and explains the spiritual and practical tools he uses in his everyday life. Roy now serves as the Director for the Community Care Team at POIC. His peers call him a mentor and a powerful force, impacting and healing the community each and every day. Roy has every reason to love life now. He has a career, owns a home, and has a beautiful partner to share his new life with. Tune in, you don’t want to miss one of the most memorable guests we’ve had! Follow us, Like us, Share us, and Subscribe to us at http://www.mercedessecondchance.com and join us on our journey to make a difference.

Amir Salam is a lively, passionate, and enthusiastic member of the 12th-Step Recovery community. I met Amir on a virtual platform discussing spiritual principles, walking and living in gratitude, and conducting self-inventory daily, to be intentional about how we show up in the world. Amir works as an Executive Director at a successful music enterprise, and loves the work he does. He makes sure to mention, that if it were not for the 12-Step recovery program and daily maintenance, he would not be able to sustain his wonderful career. Amir says whatever he puts in front of his recovery is what he will lose. Recovery must come first. Although Amir is a devout husband, a wonderful father, and a hard-working business man, Amir also battled drug addiction. Looking at his Sharp attire, Grammy Award winning friends, college education, and pristine reputation, you would never guess Amir used drugs, and got entangled in the dark world of addiction. He openly discusses his experience in hopes of helping, or possibly preventing others from going down the same route. I was drawn to Amir's raw description of addiction, and how it drug him so far, he began doing things he said he would never do. Amir discusses the seriousness and the nature of this disease. He chases his recovery like he chased drugs, Amir throws himself into the middle of the recovery world. “Staying in the middle so you don’t fall off the edges,” is our recovery motto. He participates in events, helps plan fundraisers, and facilitates spaces for addicts to come and recover. Amir is committed to getting the message of hope out, that any addict can stop using drugs, lose the desire to use drugs, and find a new way to live. Don't miss this inspiring and unforgettable interview with Amir Islam. He will give you a new perspective on life, and open your eyes to the world of endless possibility. Does your career in the public eye prevent you from seeking help for addiction? Don't let it, you're not alone, seek some help. Follow us, Like us, Share us, and Subscribe to us at http://www.mercedessecondchance.com and join us on our journey to make a difference.

In this episode, Mercedes sits down with Julia Mines, the Executive Director of the Portland Miracles Club. Julia holds a master’s degree in Social Work from Portland State University. She operates a non-profit organization that supports people surviving addiction, homelessness, and former incarceration. On a daily Julia gets to see folks’ journey from being homeless, to becoming home-owners. She watches folks’ journey from being unemployable to becoming Executive Directors & entrepreneurs of multimillion-dollar organizations. Julia says the most rewarding part of her job is watching women and men get released from prison with literally nothing but the clothes on their backs, to getting jobs, stable housing, and full custody of their children. Julia's road to recovery began 24 years ago after being released from prison. She entered treatment and got clean from alcohol and crack-cocaine. You would never know by looking at her, or by looking at the degrees and plaques on her wall, but Julia knows all too well the dark side of addiction. Listen as Julia discusses addiction, prostitution, domestic violence, and untreated-undiagnosed trauma. She tells her personal story from being penniless, childless, and drug addicted, to getting a second chance at life by way of a jail sentence. She calls it her “higher power stepping in.” You will find humor, pain, healing and hope on this episode, so don’t miss it. Feel you have a problem with drugs or alcohol? Do you think no one can help you. GO TO https://www.miraclesclub.org There is help. Visit “contact us” on the website and set up an appointment with a peer-mentor. There are people just like you that have made it out of that dark hole without using drugs. You can too! Follow us, Like us, Share us, and Subscribe to us at www.mercedessecondchance.com and join us on our journey to make a difference.

Walter is one of the most kind-hearted, positive, and motivating people I know. I don’t think I know anyone that doesn’t like Walter. Walter grew up playing football. He loved football and was good at it too. On the field, Walter was like a force of nature, he felt like he was born to play. As one of the fastest, and most powerful players on his team, Walter was recruited and received a full-ride scholarship to a top 10 university for football. Walter had NFL potential. Unfortunately, as quickly as his football career was moving, so was his drug and alcohol addiction. Walter began drinking and experimenting with party drugs. He moved on to hard drugs, slipped through the cracks, and eventually lost everything. Walter says drugs became his highest and only priority. In the end Walter was homeless, spiritually bankrupt, and had what we call in recovery, “a skid-row of the soul.” Eventually drug addiction brought Walter to his knees, praying for God’s help. His prayers were answered and he received treatment for his addiction. After getting clean Walter has continued his education, and worked in the mental health and recovery field. I met Walter at the Imani Center, a culturally specific treatment and mental health program at Central City Concern. Walter was a case manager and facilitated classes that processed trauma, taught basic life-skills for addicts, and helped people create plans to achieve their goals, during and after treatment. I was always excited to go to Walters class because I knew it would be passionate, energetic, hopeful, and motivating. Walter has been one of the mentors in my life who encouraged me to go deep when working on myself, and use my God given talents to create a space for myself the world. It is nothing short of an honor to sit down and hear Walter dive deep into his journey battling addiction. He sheds new light on the un-talked about matters of athletes who struggle with addiction. He discusses the solution, and how he has dedicated his life to supporting those athletes like himself. You don’t want to miss out on this life changing message. Do you know an athlete that struggles with drugs or alcohol? Watch this episode and seek help. Follow us, Like us, Share us, and Subscribe to us at www.mercedessecondchance.com and join us on our journey to make a difference.

Tony Vezina is the co-founder of 4th Dimension Recovery Center (4D), one of Portland’s largest and few recovery centers serving youth in and around the Portland Metropolitan Area. 4th Dimension Recovery Center has become the safe place for young addicts to come and begin a new life in recovery. In treatment I attended many events at 4D from Halloween costume parties, to summer Speaker Jams, and barbeques. I once attended a 12-step meeting on the waterfront and got to hear the story of the one who started it all, Tony Vezina. Countless of his employees on their own time got up to speak about how he helped them change their lives. The power of the work he was doing was almost overwhelming. I knew right away he was someone I wanted to mentor me. Over the years I have gotten to know Tony, but I have always wondered how he went from being a homeless felon with a backpack to co-founding a multimillion dollar organization for addicts and alcoholics. Join me as he sits down and tells all, his childhood, becoming addicted to drugs, what changed in his life that forced him to quit, and what he has to say to those still in the struggle. He also gives advice on what real success is, and how to get it. Tony now serves on boards and works with Oregon legislators to influence policy change regarding the stigmatisms and negative perceptions our community has on addicts. Are you someone between the years of 18-25 and feel you have a drug or alcohol problem? Go to https://4drecovery.org/contact/ and seek help. Follow us, Like us, Share us, and Subscribe to us at www.mercedessecondchance.com and join us on our journey to make a difference.

In this episode Hubert gives a personal account of his battle with drug addiction, and all the life changing events that led him to get sober. Hubert gives humor to painful and traumatic experiences he has endured in his life. He believes God turned all the matters of his troubled past, into life lessons that help me do his work today. He says he would have never gained these tools otherwise. Hubert M. Hubert Mathews is one the most captivating and influential pillars Portland Oregon has encountered concerning the decriminalization of addicts, and policy reform for re-integration from incarceration. Hubert has over 13 years clean and sober, and uses his personal experience with drug addiction and getting stuck in the system, to advocate for change. His work has influenced policy-makers to recreate laws that rectify harm done by the history of incarceration and ongoing traumatic experiences, between formerly incarcerated African Americans and law enforcement. But life hasn’t always been, change, and freedom. Hubert like myself lost his livelihood and integrity due to drug addiction, dating back to the 80’s during the crack and ‘War on Drugs Era.’   It wasn’t until 2009 that Hubert sought help for his problem with drugs, inevitably leading him to the 12-Step recovery rooms. I met Hubert in 2019, 10 years later by the Greyhound station in downtown Portland. I lived outside like an animal, and he was handing out his card. While at a homeless shelter I ran into him again, this time he handed me his card and “...you don’t belong out here.” I took the card never thinking I would see him again. As fate would have it, I ran into Hubert 6 months later at the Miracles Club (a recovery center for addicts/alcoholics), but this time I was clean. I found out he too sufferes from the disease of addiction and uses the 12-Steps to stay clean. He told me he use to sleep on the same sidewalks and streets I did. We developed a friendship after that, but he is more like a mentor. Hubert helps me with everything from toxic relationships, to getting my finances in position to buy a home. In recovery we call this “going from homelessness to homeownership.”  Tune in as he takes us through his journey. You’ll be motivated to anything after hearing this message is hope. You having trouble with drugs or alcohol? Give yourself a break and watch this episode. Follow us, Like us, Share us, and Subscribe to us at www.mercedessecondchance.com and join us on our journey to make a difference.

Ezell Watson is one of the most amazing people I have ever met. We met during a Zoom meeting when he worked for Portland Public Schools. What stood out to me was that Ezell was a black man in a leadership role. He was also very attentive and respectful to the ladies in the meeting. He was a great public speaker, and he had a way of making everyone feel comfortable around him. I was impressed by his ability to come from another state and quickly emersed himself into positions that held a lot of influence. He quickly became a mentor of mine, he took the time to show me how to build my assets, and move beyond entry-level positions. While Ezell is not an addict himself, he showed great interest in the spiritual 12-Step process that frees addicts from active addiction. He also opened up with me about members of his family battling drug addiction. He told me I gave him a better understanding and a new perspective on addiction. I chose Ezell to help me tell my story because Ezell naturally brings out the best in people. I also share traumatic experiences I have endured, and his gentleness creates a safe space for vulnerability, and openness. He has a spirit of compassion, grace, and love. Follow us, Like us, Share us, and Subscribe to us at www.mercedessecondchance.com and join us on our journey to make a difference. ezell.watson@yahoo.com https://www.facebook.com/ezell.watson http://www.instagram.com/nwskatersunited https://youtube.com/user/ezwatson3

Ezell Watson III is a leader in the field of Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI), i.e. social justice, and an advocate for human rights, specifically the rights of Oregonians. He currently serves as the Program Director of Diversity Equity and Inclusion for the Oregon Public Utility Commission. Mr. Watson brings a wealth of experience to his role including 10 years of experience in the educational equity sector and 10 years as a DEI professional. As a social justice champion, Mr. Watson led equity efforts within the Portland Public Schools’ offices of Community Engagement, including the renaming process of the now Ida Bae Wells Barnett High School, formerly Woodrow Wilson High School. He also played an integral role in developing and enhancing the school district’s five year equity plan. Mr. Watson believes wholeheartedly in the goodness of humanity and seeks to “Promote smiles and happiness in the atmosphere,” anytime he engages in ANY endeavor. Ezell Watson is one of the most amazing people I have ever met. We met during a Zoom meeting when he worked for Portland Public Schools. What stood out to me was that Ezell was a black man in a leadership role. He was also very attentive and respectful to the ladies in the meeting. He was a great public speaker, and he had a way of making everyone feel comfortable around him. I was impressed by his ability to come from another state and quickly emersed himself into positions that held a lot of influence. He quickly became a mentor of mine, he took the time to show me how to build my assets, and move beyond entry-level positions. While Ezell is not an addict himself, he showed great interest in the spiritual 12-Step process that frees addicts from active addiction. He also opened up with me about members of his family battling drug addiction. He told me I gave him a better understanding and a new perspective on addiction. I chose Ezell to help me tell my story because Ezell naturally brings out the best in people. I also share traumatic experiences I have endured, and his gentleness creates a safe space for vulnerability, and openness. He has a spirit of compassion, grace, and love.