The Rev. Ronald Brummitt once roamed the streets homeless.

Now he just has returned from studying at Harvard during a special one-week session.

His turnaround is inspiring others to do the same.

And Brummitt is helping them.

Brummitt, who was homeless for two years, is the president of the Miami Rescue Mission in downtown Miami that serves homeless and needy families.

Last week, he was among a selected group of executives who were asked to take part in a special executive education program at the Harvard Business School campus in Boston.

He received a full scholarship to take a week's classes to learn how to better develop a strategic vision for his nonprofit that helps the homeless in South Florida.

``I never imagined my life would change so much,'' Brummitt said.

He didn't turn his life around overnight. He first had to shake off his addiction to drugs and alcohol. He also had to get an education.

``I grew up in a very abusive and alcoholic family,'' he said. ``And I never thought I would try a drink, but when I went into service, I started trying drugs.''

``I was no longer in control of myself; the drugs were controlling me,'' Brummitt added.

The addictive substances left Brummitt on the streets in 1988, when he walked into the Miami Rescue Mission asking for help. There, he became part of a detoxification program and began to turn his life around.

Sometimes, he felt defeated. But thanks to the support of the then president of the mission, Frank Jacobs, he completed the program, and today, Brummitt presides over the nonprofit.

``One day, he woke up and was ready to walk away, but Dr. Jacobs put his hand over his shoulder and told him: `Son, do not leave; you do not know what God has ready for you,' '' said Brummitt's wife Marilyn who is the mission's director of community development.

Upon completing the program, Brummitt went back to school and finished his degree in psychology.

He became a certified addiction counselor. His future goals include the opening of a mission branch in Palm Beach County. The mission already has programs in Miami-Dade and Broward.

He hopes the skills and information he gained during the seven-day Harvard training will help him improve the organization's services.

``He is an inspiration for everyone at the mission, not just for the homeless who view him as a leader and an example, but also for staff,'' said Martha Ayerdis, who also works at the mission.

``When he tells his story to our men and women, all doubts and excuses drop off their faces and they start to think that they too can change their lives,'' his wife added.

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