Stories of Changed Lives

A New Chapter in My Life

Leway L. Carey II is a soft-spoken, humble man who works in the laundry room at Buffalo City Mission Men’s Center.  Many mornings, he is up by 3 a.m. preparing the first of many loads to go into the Mission’s aging washing machines.  At 5:30 a.m., he and several other men gather in the laundry room to pray for one other, friends, family—even those who’ve left the Mission to return to the streets.

Leway came to the Mission in August 2005 after his friend, Leslie Fagan, told him he was a prime candidate for the GEM recovery program.  “Leslie is now deceased,” Leway says quietly.  “I’m dedicating my new start in life to him.”

Leway spent a month in our emergency shelter, then decided to join the GEM recovery program.  “I felt a sense of welcome I’d never known before.  I’d led a destructive life of narcotics and alcohol and not talking care of myself.  I wanted to do whatever I had to, to reach the point of sanity and peace.”

As an adult, Leway had almost completed a degree in criminal justice before leaving school to care for people dying of a mysterious new disease known as AIDS.  Now on the GEM program, he turned his altruistic nature to learning more about Jesus Christ.  “And I really got saved—I got a full understanding of what it is to be saved—here.”

As the months passed, Leway studied the Bible, attended classes, even signing up for a “Kick for Jesus” martial arts course!  As he learned to “act instead of react,” he grew even more patient and understanding with other men on the program.  He took pride in his job washing hundreds of sheets, towels, clothing items and kitchen towels.  He gave up old hurts, took care of health issues and got his driver’s license. 

“I’ve been places few come back from and I hold no grudges,” he says.  “I know God forgives and to hold anger and animosity tears one apart physically.”

Leway plans to spend the next few months in the Mission’s Resident in Transition program before beginning “the next chapter” in his life.  “I want to be recertified in home health care and continue my passion to help people through hospice,” he says. 

In the meantime, you’ll find him sorting dirty clothing and coaxing old machines through a few more loads.  “What I love the most, is the Father, Son and Holy Ghost,” he quips.  “I graduated this program November 7 and my birthday was November 13.  A new lease on life—that’s a good birthday present.”