The Central Kansas Dream Center, 2100 Broadway in the chapel, will graduate its first group at 2 p.m. this Sunday. The three students, who faced life altering addictions, will share their stories.
The Dream Center is a six month residential faith based ministry that began last summer. There is no cost to participants, and it is financed by donation.
There are currently six men and five women in the program, which is open to those with life controlling issues. Kimberly Becker directs the program.
“We get them plugged in to a church. They give back to the community,” said Becker. “We keep a family environment giving support to learn what a healthy family  looks like.”
The students are taught independent living skills such as budgeting, cooking and work skills. They are also connected with Christian employers who will teach them work habits needed for success.
Participants spend three days in class and two working in the community. “The goal is to break addictive cycles that destroy families,” said Becker.
Below are the graduates’ stories:
Shane Meeker
Shane Meeker, age 30, is now employed and drug-free. However, this was not the case for many years. He had strained relationships and an addiction to meth that began when he was age 14, infiltrating his entire life.
He was the first individual that began work at the Dream Center. He now realizes he is worthy of so much more.
“I was addicted to meth,” he said. “I couldn’t get away from it. It was what made me get up in the morning.
“The Dream Center has been a real blessing,” he said.
Meeker is in the first male-female relationship he has had that wasn’t drug related. Relationships with family members have been restored.
He has had to grapple with issues with anger and bitterness that have been worked on. He said he did not want to pass these attitudes on to his own family when the time comes.
Growing up in this area, Meeker has said that people have seen a change in him, in his demeanor and life attitudes.
“I’ve never been happier,” said Meeker. “This is bringing real joy to me. This is the longest I’ve been clean.”
Anthony Schneider
Twenty-eight-year-old Anthony Schneider has spent much of his life incarcerated. At age 12, he stole his step-father’s vehicle. This led to a high speed chase where someone died, resulting in prison time.
He was also a drug user. He had been suicidal and had anger issues.
Schneider is regaining his life. “I was hopeless and had no purpose,” he said. “It was me against the world.”
The change has been gradual and he credits the healing from God. Anthony has developed relationships and learned how to relate to other people and is gainfully employed.
Anthony now reads his Bible and wants to seek God in his life. He wants to work in ministry and reach out to others, especially those who are incarcerated.
Keith Harder
Keith Harder, 48,  has also struggled with divorce, alcohol addiction and loss of hope. At one  point, his children were in state custody and he was suicidal. Facing a 117-month prison sentence when he entered the Dream Center, Harder knew it was his last hope.
And now he feels that God has changed him. “I found God,” said Harder. The drugs and alcohol were a mask to cover his depression.
“I’ve realized who I am in Christ,” he said. He now has visitation with his kids and has regained joint custody. He is off alcohol and drugs and his prison sentence was reduced to community corrections.
The student had been involved in in-patient and out-patient treatment and various other programs, but nothing stuck.
“It taught me to live a new life and I don’t have to go back to drugs, alcohol and depression,” said Keith. “God is my new source and strength.”
“I’ve been given a second chance,” he said.