On this episode of the Gospel Con Carne podcast, we are joined by not one, but two Alan’s! Joining our host, Alan Graham, is his friend and neighbor, Alan, who moved home to Community First! Village in December of 2019. Adopted as a baby, Alan built close relationships with his adoptive parents and fondly remembers his childhood growing up in north Austin. His life took a turn when he began using drugs as a young teenager, which led to a spiral that ultimately left him homeless. Since moving to Community First! Village, Alan has heavily relied on a Twelve Steps path of recovery for himself, while making amends with others in the process. Alan continues to improve on these steps every day and the work he’s put in is reflective in his relationships with other neighbors and his deep desire to live servant-heartedly. While following the Twelve Steps has transformed Alan’s life, he has found the most freeing part of the process to be the mending of relationships and rebuilding of the community that he lost along the way.

The Gospel Con Carne podcast is back! Join us this season as Mobile Loaves & Fishes’ Founder & CEO, Alan Graham, and his guests tell the untold stories of individuals who have encountered homelessness. We are excited to kick off this season talking with Justin, one of Alan’s neighbors in Community First! Village. Hear how Justin’s family history of alcoholism ultimately took root in his own life, resulting in plenty of challenges along the way. Justin eventually found himself living a nomadic life out of his car, often hopping around different state parks or campgrounds. Since moving to Community First! Village in 2022, Justin has been able to find healing, both physically and emotionally, and now works on-site in the Village while building meaningful relationships with his neighbors. Through the ups and downs of his journey, Justin embodies what it means to just keep on going—because you never know what good things may lie ahead.