Repentance leads to community education in
HIV/AIDS; substance abuse prevention
|
Leonard (Jim) Hutchinson has a divine gleam in his eyes, that
let the beholders know he has found peace with his maker and his work. He wants the world
to know that God is still in the fixing business. He knows that he is a very blessed
person for the “repentance” in his life.
In 1996, Hutchinson founded Ancilla Inc., with other board members. In 2001, the
organization was designated a non-profit organization. In 2002, Ancilla Inc., 4791
Beechaven Drive, began to aid in the education and prevention of HIV/AIDS and Substance
Abuse.
Like many of those who work in the trenches, Hutchinson has first-hand knowledge of the
ills people face on a daily basis. “Through other folks, God was able to help me
overcome homelessness and addiction that put me in a position to help other people.
Helping others is like an addiction to me now. If a day go by and I don’t help
someone, then I feel bad. I try to keep a low profile, but because of my past addiction,
some say that I am the best-known non-celebrity in the area. I try to use that as an
example, if I can maintain sobriety then anyone can,” Hutchinson said.
Hutchinson became an alcoholic in 1966 and begin experimenting with various drugs such as
hashish, opium, and mescaline. LSD was added in (1967); heroin (1970); cocaine and
prescription medication (1972). “From 1972-1976 I was homeless off and on, working
sometimes, and doing the things that homeless addicts would do. Most of the people that I
associated with during that period of time are either dead or in jail. I am very
fortunate. I only went to jail a couple of time, and only overdosed a couple of
times,” he continued.
Things began to slowly change in 1978 when he met and fell in love and married his wife of
24 years. “In 1986, I was able to stop using all mind-altering substances. My wife
would put the Bible on the table where I would sit every morning and I would have to move
it out the way to drink my coffee. Slowly I began to open it up and read. After finding
out who God is and what Jesus Christ’s purpose was on earth, I was able to stop using
chemicals. I then obeyed the Gospel and was added to the Southside Church of Christ under
the ministry of the late Ulysses Turner. My place of worship today is Crestmont Park
Church of Christ, 5907 Selinsky, where the minister is Elmo Adams.”
At Crestmont, there is a 12-step program that meets every Monday at 7 p.m. In addition
there is a a prison program that meets on Thursdays at 7 p.m. A women’s group meet on
Saturdays at 10 a.m. “In 1986, I started to help people get into Alcoholic Anonymous
(AA) and has started AA groups at three different churches.” Since then he has
completed Computer Technology School, is a Little League Baseball Coach, foster parent,
and has been a Cub and Boy Scout Leader for about 6 years. He also began classes at
Houston Community College and has completed 270 required hours to become a chemical
dependency counselor at Texas Southern University. He also completed 300-hour practicum at
Riverside General Hospital to become a counselor intern and worked in prisons for both men
and women.
“I received my license as a chemical dependency counselor (LCDC) and went to work for
Riverside General Hospital as a counselor, then a Program Manager of a HIV/Aids unit
geared toward women who are HIV/AID positive and have substance abuse issues with
children, ages 0-12. “I think God prepared me for what I do today. It would be very
easy for me just to stop doing what I do, and do nothing, but there are too many people
out there that are hurting (infected, effected and affected) by HlV/AIDS and substance
abuse. Call 281/437-6356 for more information. |
