DALLAS — On Sunday mornings and again on Tuesday nights, the echoes of a men’s chorus can be heard near the intersection of Al Lipscomb Way and S. Harwood: the sound of formerly troubled souls working to get their lives back in tune.
And this year, a group of men rallying to “kick” their bad habits, has taken on a completely different meaning.
Since 2010, Men of Nehemiah has used its own unique model for addiction recovery. For more than 50 men at a time in a 9-month residential treatment program, they use a combination of traditional clinical services and counseling, Biblical discipleship, and military structure.
Kevin Lennon is on that journey now.
"When I was about 22, a family member showed me methamphetamine,” the 36-year-old father of two said of an addiction struggle that led to a broken life, and a broken family that he is trying to piece back together.
"People come in here broken, with no hope at all. The hope is gone. You can see it in their eyes,” he said.
"The bottom for me was, sitting in a hotel room. Two options were to commit a crime, that way I could go to jail and have a bunk and food. Or to try to drink myself to death."
Lennon believes he is well on his way to recovering from those dark days. But the Men of Nehemiah non-profit effort that has served more than 1,400 men like him in the last 12 years, providing each with a job at the end of the program, takes money.
Which is where a teen on a football field comes in.
His name is Noah McGough. As a senior at Jesuit High School in Dallas, he is recognized as one of the best high school kickers in the country.
"It's a funny story. I started playing soccer,” McGough said. And he vividly remembers the day his family took him to one of the worship services at Men of Nehemiah.
"To see the transformation in their lives, it's really remarkable."
So, he thought he'd try something remarkable too.
"And I wanted to use that do to something more than just make field goals and win football games. I wanted to use that to help others."
Each Friday night he steps on the football field, as he did at SMU in a recent game against Highland Park, his kicks raise money for the Men of Nehemiah addiction recovery program. To date, he has received donations of $561 for every point he scores, a total of more than $12,000 for the Men of Nehemiah.
"It's so inspirational to our men to think there's a guy like that out there doing these things for them,” said Men of Nehemiah CEO Jim Ramsey. "What an amazing kid he is. What an amazing message that is." what a good role model for our men."
"Yes, I get to love, go, and enjoy and have fun kicking footballs. But I get to do it to help more people. and that makes it all the better,” McGough said. "When you give to this organization you're helping to change lives."
And on that night at SMU, the men whose lives he is helping change, were in the stands to cheer him on.
"We're showing support,” said Kevin Lennon at halftime of the Highland Park vs Jesuit game. “It feels like we're living. Like we’re living!”
Expansion plans are in the works at the Men of Nehemiah. Funds are being raised for new buildings and new places for these men to live during their 9-month stay. Men like Kevin Lennon say he is finally seeing the light.
"My family is reuniting. I'm proud when I walk. I stand just a little bit higher,” he said.
Thanks in part to a high school football player with a big leg and an even bigger heart.
Noah McGough’s “kick for a cause” will last for the entire football season. If you would like to add to his Men of Nehemiah donations you can get more information here.
