“I went from having a GED and barely even being able to hold a job to having four years of management experience. The opportunities Coffee Oasis gave me led me to where I am now.”

Abuse and Isolation

Lucas experienced many hardships growing up. “I don’t remember much of my childhood before 4th or 5th grade because of severe abuse.” His father struggled with PTSD and paranoia. Because of this, Lucas was very isolated in his younger years. As he got older, this led into depression, mental health issues, acting out, and running away. “I kind of got into my teen years and was slowly but surely getting a bit more freedom. I found myself in a place where I had to learn to navigate the world. After being isolated for so long and not learning that stuff, I was super uncomfortable. Drugs became my answer to being okay.”

Finding The Coffee Oasis

Lucas came across The Coffee Oasis by happenstance during a time when he was couch surfing or living in motels. “I used to hangout by the waterfront in Port Orchard and do drugs down there and be a nuisance. I heard music during one of the Friday nights and wandered up there. When I realized it was a place for youth and a place to eat when I didn’t have food, I started hanging out there.” 

Battling Addiction

Lucas struggled with addiction and having supportive people in his life. “I didn’t have a great relationship with my parents. I was very lost and didn’t really have anyone in my life who I felt like believed in me or was helpful or could remotely point me in the right direction. There was a point I overdosed at the park in Port Orchard. I blacked out and they took me in the ambulance. Paul–a Coffee Oasis staff–followed up with me and I knew it was more than just a place to eat.” Eventually, Lucas moved into the Bremerton shelter.

New Opportunities

While staying in the Bremerton shelter, Lucas found out about The Coffee Oasis job training program and completed an internship with MOD Pizza. He did such an excellent job that he worked his way from intern to assistant manager. He was even able to travel around Washington to help open other stores. “During the internship, working with MOD, I went from having a GED and barely even being able to hold a job to having four years of management experience. The opportunities Coffee Oasis gave me led me to where I am now.” 

Hope for the Future

Although his journey in recovery hasn’t always been a straight path, his job enabled him to attend a treatment center. He also was able to connect with a mentor through NA who taught him about the program and kept him accountable. Now, he is a shift lead at Starbucks and attending school online at Arizona State University for anthropology and biology. Lucas never saw this for himself. “I dropped out as a super senior and was denied from Olympic College.”

Lucas is grateful for the support of The Coffee Oasis. “Even several years after being involved, the fact that I will still get people reaching out gives evidence that people really do care and want to see the best in people.”