Behind every statistic is a person.

Although our journey to love Marti is just beginning at Starv'n Marvin's , her story is powerful and needs to be told . Here is what she wrote....

Last year, I reached one of the darkest points of my life. After years of struggling with my mental health, I became so overwhelmed and hopeless that I attempted to end my life.
That’s part of my story, but it isn’t the end of my story.

For a long time, I struggled to trust people, trust systems, or even believe that there was a place for me in the world. I isolated myself. I was angry. I was hurting. And I couldn’t imagine that my life could become something different.

Today, I am still growing, still healing, and still learning who I am on the other side of survival.

Getting a second chance doesn’t mean everything suddenly becomes easy. Sometimes a second chance simply means waking up the next day and deciding to keep going. Sometimes it means allowing someone to believe in you before you fully know how to believe in yourself.

That’s one reason being part of this workplace means so much to me. This is a place built around the idea that people are more than the hardest chapters of their lives — whether those chapters include addiction, mental illness, incarceration, homelessness, trauma, or simply losing their way.

I am honored to share my story because somewhere there may be another person who feels as hopeless as I once did.

I want that person to know this:

Please don’t decide what the rest of your life will be based on one unbearable chapter.

I’m still here.

And I’m very grateful I stayed. Marti.

Marti's story is a call to get our priorities in order. We tend to complicate and distract ourselves with so many things that dont matter..we are called Love God with our whole heart, soul, mind and strength and love each other more than we do ourselves. What a different world this world be if we truly did that. My intention is to show Marti that her life is precious, she is valuable and has purpose. Would you join me in prayer for her and anyone who believes they have lost hope.

Consider..hope is not something we can lose , because we can not lose something that comes from God ...what we lose is perspective. 

Meet Barbara. Barbara and I met almost 3 years ago when she was living in her car with her 4 children and her elderly mother. At first after becoming aware that we had a mom and children homeless in our parking lot..I was apprehensive about approaching her car . We just started with sending food out to them. Soon I found myself standing by her window looking in at a car packed with personal items and a mom nursing her 11 month old son . He had the most brilliant blue eyes, I had ever seen)another son sitting in the front seat, I think he was 12 at the time..2 daughters 6 and 8  if I remember correctly , playing close by . I knew right away it wasn't addiction that put them there . I also knew immediately that there was no way I could just pass them by . So the fight began.. phone call after phone call ..motel stay here and there.. until the phone call to safe families here in Klamath..they stepped in a secured a house for them in Bonanza. They spent 2 years there..the kids enrolled in school and started to thrive. During that Barbara and her family drove 45 minutes to attend church with me every Sunday. We began celebrating holidays together..... What put them in the car ? That was the question..it became apparent that it was fear .. paralyzing fear . I knew if I was ever going to be able to help long term, I was going to have to earn her trust. The last three years have been filled with trials, tribulations, uncertainties, joy , patience.. perseverance.. relationships..love. 

Last year Barbara and her family moved to town. And she began working for me at the restaurant. A full circle moment.I think it was 9 years since she worked. She is and has excelled . She wants to learn everything about it ..she has learned to hostess, waitress, dishwasher, bake , some prep and line cook . I've witnessed a beautiful transformation , inside and out ( PTL)..I thank God that he put Barbara in my path. I've been blessed beyond measure with all of this. I'm so thankful God is a God of second chances..he's given me one , he's giving Barbara and her family one ..and as long as I have anything to do with it.. Starv'n Marv'ns will be a place of second chances.  We are so thankful for your support and business..it makes it possible.

Ps... Barbara's oldest son also works one day a week for me ..he's a remarkable young man with an incredible work ethic, like his mom.

 I'd like to introduce you to Albert, a second chance employees. With his permission I want to share his story. Beginning when he was 9 years old and lost his beloved father who was a pastor in Mississippi. Soon Albert found himself alone and ended up in California in the Foster care system. Looking for love and acceptance, he ended up in the wrong crowd and his addiction started. Destruction, turmoil and brokeness followed for many years.
8 months ago I met Albert through a sober living house that I hire from and began using him a little bit here and there . I have seen amazing growth since then. Albert now has over a year clean and sober PTL. He has become a valuable member of the team. He is one of the most kind , encouraging and generous people I know. Everyday he walks through the kitchen and shouts out " you all are doing an amazing job "  ..it has become his trademark. He's the Starvin Marvin motivational speaker! 

There is something in life that just never gets old for me .. seeing the light come on in someone's eyes . The light of Christ. Albert has plugged into church with me and I've had the privilege of witnessing the power of the word of God transform his life. There is a supernatural peace and joy that takes hold . It's beautiful. Albert is the Imago dei ..made in the image of God . He is valuable..even in his addiction..he was valuable.  His story reminds me that every one desires to be loved ..it's innate in us . What a different world it would be if we really showed up and loved one another the way we're called to . Albert's story is a reversal story .. from darkness to light . I'm so proud of him . His story also speaks to the importance of Fathers ..strong men of God make all the difference..rise up men ..you are needed. Albert...you have found the love and acceptance you have been looking for. 

 Meet Joel , a second chance employee here at Starv'n Marv'ns. Joel's story begins at the tender age of 9 years old..his age the 1st time he survived alcohol poisoning. Exposed to the lifestyle of drug and alcohol addiction at a such a young age, I imagine it seemed normal to him. Second nature...however it led to a life of incarceration (jail and prison) since he was 14.  Hearing Joel's story tugged at my heart because I know there are so many young men that fall into a life like this.. where it seems they don't stand a chance. Something I've noticed in our culture.. young men stumble through life because they have aggression inside..that is put there by God to provide, protect and lead their families. If they're not taught what to do with it, they'll become toxic. It's incredibly sad to me that so many go through life not knowing that they have a purpose and believing the lie that they have no value.

Joel told me the turning point in his life began when he was incarcerated and his fiance and 2 little ones came to visit. His toddler son wanted to be held by his dad but couldn't because glass separated them. 

Joel came to Starv'n Marv'ns almost a year ago and has over a year clean and sober now . PTL. I've witnessed amazing growth, responsibility and maturity in Joel over the last year. He is efficient, polite and reliable. I really can't imagine not having him there. My favorite thing about Joel is how much he loves his family.. especially his children. There is not a day that goes by that he's not showing us pictures, videos and talking about his kids. 

Joel is winning.... victory over a lifetime of addiction...at holding and succeeding at a job ...a second chance at being a Father ..and becoming a man of virtue, character and self control. 

I'm honored to know Joel and thankful to be part of his journey. 

Joel ..I hope you know how valuable you are to me , but more importantly to the Lord. You have purpose and nothing you've gone through is in vein . Keep your eyes vertical. Stay , remain... perseve!

Meekness definition: is the ability to exert immense power, authority, or passion, but deliberately choosing to restrain those reactions with gentleness, humility, and patience. Strength under control.
This is Jeremy..a second chance employee here at Starv'n Marv'ns. His journey started here about 3 1/2 years ago. Before I took ownership here ..I was in a supervisory position and would hire out of the mission. That's where Jeremy lived.
Jeremy's personal journey with addiction started at a very young age . Another young man that was exposed to drugs and alcohol as a way of life from the get go. Fatherless as his dad died when he was 2 , and his mother struggled with addiction herself . So a life as a addict was Jeremy's lot in life , complete with all the things that go along with that .. darkness ,destruction, dispare , dangerous near fatal situations, homelessness.
Until one day when Jeremy was in his darkest hour he found himself at a park watching fish swim around in a pool of water ..he cried out to God in pain . God heard Jeremy that day . Soon after he checked into the mission.
Jeremy is celebrating 4 years of sobriety. He is an ideal employee. Always the first to arrive , he never misses work, impeccable work ethic, efficient, sanitary, drama free , morally reliable. But what I love most about Jeremy is his protective loyal nature. It's genuine.
Jeremy was one of those people we ,as a culture pass by , dismiss and complain about..his turn around is beautiful..its miraculous.
Recently Jeremy looked at me and said " thank you for..life"
Jeremy, thank you for being an example that no one is ever too far gone. Thank you for your faithful service at Starv'n Marv'ns . Thank you for having my back.
Meekness. Strength under control.

 This is William.  William and I meet a few years ago  before I took the reins here and held a supervisory position.  He was hired for the prep position.  Right away I knew that he comes from hard things and he struggles.  Childhood trauma/ abuse had taken its toll and manifested itself in what I would consider a pretty severe and authentic case of OCD.  Ultimately resulting in 4 years of homelessness.

William left Starv'n Marv'ns to work at Crater Lake ..that job ended and when I took over Starv'n Marv'ns..William came to ask me for help as his life was spiraling out of control again.  I didn't have a spot for him ..but encouraged him to come to church with me , and he did. Every Sunday William would ask me if I had anything yet as he was desperate for work.  Every week I would say the same thing,  not yet..and then ask him how things were going applying other places. Until one Sunday we were having the same conversation..this time when I said "not yet" William hung his head ..said he had an interview at a fast food restaurant. I encouraged him about that . The music started and I was convicted,  I just thought..he won't do well at fast food.  When the music ended , during meet and greet , and went and sat by him and told him I didn't want him to accept the job at the fast food restaurant and come learn to bake with me ..William immediately started to cry.. the Lord knows I make mistakes as a business owner,  this was not one of them . Turns out OCD is useful in baking. William has excelled in ways that are incredible. His baking abilities are remarkable. He is learning more everyday about things like , cutting himself some slack , its ok to make mistakes. He has purpose and value.  Learning to work with others , and love them. Thank you, Lord for William. 

We have started a nonprofit arm to Starv'n Marv'ns..Bruised Reed foundation, to help fund the ministry part of what we are doing here. We also call our bread end of our business the Bruised Reed baking co. Coincidentally William's last name is Reed . William story reminds me to never count anyone out and to meet people where they're at ..thank you, for supporting Starv'n Marv'ns!