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Darrell Williamson–a man on a mission

April 24, 2009
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ARC graduate now counsels others.

by Marlene Gerber

Darrell Williamson helps interns at the ARC in San Diego.

Darrell Williamson is a man on a mission. He knows that the disease of addiction takes lives. And he knows with certainty that The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center saves lives.

“I am a poster child for before and after drug use,” said Williamson, who explains that he has endured stabbings, shootings, sickness, jail, homelessness, and profound feelings of worthlessness. “The Lord came and turned my life around.”

Now, as lead counselor at the Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) in San Diego, Williamson is part of a program that takes on some of the most difficult cases of alcoholism and drug addiction in the county. He sees the sick and the desperate come through the doors of the downtown facility seeking relief from lives of misery and despair.

They’re all ages and come from a variety of ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. But the common denominator is loss—extreme loss. They’ve lost everything—homes, jobs, family, health, insurance, and hope. Many have nowhere else to go…except to The Salvation Army program.

Understanding the problems
Darrell knows first-hand what a lifesaver the ARC can be, for he is a graduate of the program. Now, the articulate, respected professional reflects on his odyssey from hopeless addict to solid citizen. After 34 years of drinking and drugging, living on the streets and in prison, Darrell, too, had lost everything. His wife and five children were long gone from his life, and so were jobs. Then one January day in 2002 he came into the Adult Rehabilitation Center “to get out of the cold.” Little did he know it was a move that would transform his life.

While immersed in the faith-based rehab program, participating in work therapy, counseling, attending 12-Step meetings, chapel services and Bible study, he vividly recalls a sermon that had a profound impact on him. The parable of the mustard seed and its message of hope spoke to him, and he believes the Holy Spirit came into his life that day and changed everything. He surrendered to God and pursued his recovery in earnest. “I found hope and faith, and even a little wisdom,” he declares.

A life transformed
Since then, Darrell has graduated from the ARC, gone back to school (where he had a straight A record and made the dean’s list) and become a certified addiction specialist. That career path brought him back to the ARC last year, where he is lead counselor, intern trainer and re-entry coordinator for the rehab program. He feels that because he is “one of them,” he’s particularly suited to this work. Captain Grady Brown, San Diego ARC administrator, center agrees. “With his professional expertise, and his own inspiring personal saga of salvation, he’s an invaluable addition to our ARC staff.”

An opportunity to give back
Williamson wants to “give back” to the Army. He made the decision to become a Salvation Army soldier and is fulfilling his service commitments at the Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center where he worships. He has aspirations of becoming an officer and hopes to specialize in ARC work.

“Because of The Salvation Army, and divine intervention, my life was saved,” Darrell marvels. Darrell Williamson is a man on a mission. He knows that the disease of addiction takes lives. And he knows with certainty that The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center saves lives.

“I am a poster child for before and after drug use,” said Williamson, who explains that he has endured stabbings, shootings, sickness, jail, homelessness, and profound feelings of worthlessness. “The Lord came and turned my life around.”

Now, as lead counselor at the Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) in San Diego, Williamson is part of a program that takes on some of the most difficult cases of alcoholism and drug addiction in the county. He sees the sick and the desperate come through the doors of the downtown facility seeking relief from lives of misery and despair.

They’re all ages and come from a variety of ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. But the common denominator is loss—extreme loss. They’ve lost everything—homes, jobs, family, health, insurance, and hope. Many have nowhere else to go…except to The Salvation Army program.

Understanding the problems
Darrell knows first-hand what a lifesaver the ARC can be, for he is a graduate of the program. Now, the articulate, respected professional reflects on his odyssey from hopeless addict to solid citizen. After 34 years of drinking and drugging, living on the streets and in prison, Darrell, too, had lost everything. His wife and five children were long gone from his life, and so were jobs. Then one January day in 2002 he came into the Adult Rehabilitation Center “to get out of the cold.” Little did he know it was a move that would transform his life.

While immersed in the faith-based rehab program, participating in work therapy, counseling, attending 12-Step meetings, chapel services and Bible study, he vividly recalls a sermon that had a profound impact on him. The parable of the mustard seed and its message of hope spoke to him, and he believes the Holy Spirit came into his life that day and changed everything. He surrendered to God and pursued his recovery in earnest. “I found hope and faith, and even a little wisdom,” he declares.

A life transformed
Since then, Darrell has graduated from the ARC, gone back to school (where he had a straight A record and made the dean’s list) and become a certified addiction specialist. That career path brought him back to the ARC last year, where he is lead counselor, intern trainer and re-entry coordinator for the rehab program. He feels that because he is “one of them,” he’s particularly suited to this work. Captain Grady Brown, San Diego ARC administrator, center agrees. “With his professional expertise, and his own inspiring personal saga of salvation, he’s an invaluable addition to our ARC staff.”

An opportunity to give back
Williamson wants to “give back” to the Army. He made the decision to become a Salvation Army soldier and is fulfilling his service commitments at the Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center where he worships. He has aspirations of becoming an officer and hopes to specialize in ARC work.

“Because of The Salvation Army, and divine intervention, my life was saved,” Darrell marvels.

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