After a lifetime of addiction, Keno is excited about his “new life.”

Keno, 50, recalls growing up in a “broken home. Not so much drugs, but a lot of alcohol and child abuse,” he said. “If dad was having a bad day, he’d come home from work, and we’d all absorb it from him.”

It was at the age of 11, shared Keno, when everything started to go “south.” It was then that he really noticed his parents’ drug and alcohol use. “That was when I knew what was going on. I caught my mom and dad drinking and smoking marijuana. That’s when everything started going bad. That’s when I started my (criminal) record.”

Keno went to Juvenile Hall after taking the blame for a crime on behalf of a friend. Throughout his life, Keno’s record would continue to get worse.

“I found more love on the streets than I did at home. The family I found on the streets welcomed me with open arms, with love. They were always there for me. I didn’t have to worry about feeling rejected by them. But they introduced me to my first taste of drugs and alcohol.”

Life for Keno was “really dark.” While he was sober in prison, after release, his drug use increased. “Every day for 15 years, I had a sack of (drugs) a day. I’d wake up to it, go to sleep to it, wake up in the middle of the night for it. It became overwhelming, controlling.

“It took everything. I had a car, a house, a family. It just took everything.”

Keno’s rock bottom came after a nearly fatal overdose. “God got my attention. I believe that was the only way I was going to be still and listen to God.”

Four months into the program, Keno has a new outlook. “It’s been awesome,” Keno said tearfully. “It’s been life changing. I used to not care about living life. Now I’m loving life.

“I have no cravings or desires for drugs or alcohol. God’s made it easy for me to believe change is good, that change is possible. God is good, He is real, He’s the most solid thing you can find.”

After graduation, Keno is looking forward to enjoying his “new life.” He plans on staying connected to his church, even orchestrating a permanent move from his hometown of Bakersfield to Santa Maria.

“If it wasn’t for supporters of the Mission, for those who believe in the program, there would be a lot of people left out on the street, with no hope at all. Thank you for helping. It might take longer with some, but there’s a good outcome. I’m living proof.”