Allen Graman’s Journey: From Despair to Renewal Through Faith
Hey everyone, my name is Allen Graman. I’m 31 years old, from Morris, Illinois. I have three sisters and two brothers, and I was raised in a Christian home by two loving parents. At eight years old, while attending Sunday School, I accepted the Lord into my life. The following year, I experienced the first traumatic event in my life: I lost my 18-month-old baby brother Jacob. This tragedy turned my whole life around. I started questioning everything, wondering why God would take an innocent child. I became angry and upset with God. I continued to go to church with my family but only went through the motions, never truly having a relationship with Him.
When I got to high school, I went on a mission trip to St. Lucia with my youth group. While I was there, I rededicated my life to Christ. A few years after that, I started drinking and doing drugs on the weekends but still managed to go to church on Sundays. In 2014, my father tragically passed away at the age of 50, and I turned to alcohol, not knowing any other way to cope. I drank heavily for five years, which eventually led to a DUI arrest.
In 2020, my son was born, and I felt like my life was back on track. However, in 2021, I went through a painful breakup with my son’s mother, and I started doing drugs again, trying to numb the pain. By 2023, my drug use spiraled out of control, and I began stealing to support my habit. I quickly started losing everything: I was on the verge of eviction, my car was repossessed, and my son’s mother took him, telling me I needed to get help if I wanted to keep custody.
On January 9, 2024, I reached a dark place and attempted suicide. When that didn’t work, I admitted myself into a hospital. After five days, I was released and immediately returned to stealing and using drugs. My mom, my sister, and my son’s mother urged me to go to Adult & Teen Challenge (ATC). My sister Abigale had graduated from the ATC women’s program in 2021 and had been sober for four years. Initially, I refused, but after falling to my knees and crying out to God, I entered the doors of the Pekin facility on January 20, 2024.
I’m now halfway through the program, and my life has changed drastically. Not only have I been sober for six months, but I also have a strong relationship with Christ. I have grown into a better father to my son, a better son to my mother, and a true child of God. My faith is stronger than ever.
After I graduate from the program, I plan to pursue a career in HVAC and continue my walk with God, giving everything to Him. My life verse is Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans for a future and hope.”