What does it take to change a person's life? Sometimes timing is everything. Sometimes persistence is the key. Then other times all it takes is a person who cares more than enough. For Escondido resident, Jim Beaman, it took all three things to change his life.

Only 10 years ago Jim was addicted to drugs and alcohol, roaming the streets, with no desire to change his life. "I felt I was a victim of society," said Jim "so I refused help from others."

Jim would often eat at the soup kitchen operated by Interfaith Community Services in Escondido and that is where he met Bob Klug, the associate director of development at Interfaith. Bob was one person who attempted to help Jim, but quickly learned that would be no easy task. But, he didn't give up trying to reach Jim (there's the persistence). He offered him a job and recovery assistance (here's the caring more than enough) and finally Jim was tired of his way of life (this is where the timing is everything comes in).

Jim says that Bob didn't simply tell him to get sober and find a job; instead he helped him do both. He led by example and showed Jim the way. It took a couple of years for Jim to turn his life around but he realized that it was never too late to start making the right choices.

Interfaith has a Sobering and Stabilization program that aims to break the cycle of addiction, poverty and homelessness. "They offered me the hand that I needed and I grabbed hold of it," said Jim. That is exactly what Interfaith's goal is —— to offer a hand-up and not a handout.

Jim says that it is often the case that people on the streets are satisfied with their lives and, like him, have no desire to change. That may be because they don't have hope for any other way or see an opportunity for a way out. Interfaith can offer that opportunity and has done so for more than 25 years.

Now Jim is following in Bob's footsteps and showing people the way to change their lives. Jim is a case manager with the Sobriety Services at Interfaith and continues to work at improving his life and others. He feels that it is his turn to encourage and provide direction for those in need and now it is his job to do that every day for people in North County.

For information about Interfaith Community Services, call (760) 489-6380 or visit www.interfaithservices.org.

Mary Eidson is a freelance writer who would love to hear about people you know who make North County a better place to live. E-mail her at meidson5@cox.net.