Journey to Redemption: StepUp Ambassador Timothy J.

“Before StepUp, I struggled to dream beyond my circumstances. StepUp didn’t just teach me skills—it gave me the vision and courage to build a completely new life.”

As a young man, Timothy J. went AWOL from the Air Force. He was on the run, not just from the military, but also to escape his mistakes and the harsh reality of his life.

While Timothy did eventually finish his Air Force service honorably, life didn't suddenly improve for him. He still had many more years of struggle ahead; he was in debt, working low-paying jobs, and facing a third divorce.

Naively thinking all he needed to change his luck was a car, Timothy reached out to Wheels4Hope, a StepUp partner who provides transportation to those in need. Seeing a need that went beyond just a car, they referred him to StepUp. And at StepUp, he found transformation.

“StepUp gave me dignity, purpose, and the tools to rebuild my life.”

Today, Timothy is a man who no longer runs from pain like he once did. Now he walks toward healing, with StepUp at his side. Timothy graduated from our Empower48 Life Skills program, in which he was encouraged to dream boldly. He created a vision board that included starting his own business, traveling with his wife, and building a strong foundation for his family. Through hard work and dedication, Timothy has achieved just that. He is now a husband, business owner, father, and one of StepUp's first StepUp Ambassadors. In this ambassador role, he will share his inspiring story of transformation, and through his example, he will motivate others to pursue success through StepUp just as he did.

“StepUp changed my life. And for anyone wondering if change is possible—I’m proof that it is.”