Urban Hero Awards 2010: Inspiration Award
A former drug dealer who transformed his life and is now helping others transform theirs has won the Inspiration Award at the 2010 Urban Hero Awards, presented by Manchester youth charity, The Message Trust.
Nick Shahlavi, 27, from north Manchester found himself in a world of drugs and violence from his early teenage years.
‘I was raised by a good mum who did her best, but I found it hard to come under any kind of authority and stick to the rules. I had a lot of anger. I fell into a life of drugs – any kind of drugs.
‘It got heavy – dealing, career criminals, kidnappings, beatings, death threats, suicidal behaviour, crack and coke addiction.’
Things changed for Nick following what he describes as an ‘incredible set of miracles. The power of God transformed my life, renewed me inside and set my heart on fire for other people who are in the same predicament as me.’
Earlier this year, Nick was invited to become an intern with Reflex, part of The Message Trust, a youth charity working with the hardest-to-reach young people in Manchester’s prisons, schools and communities.
Now part of a small team, Nick runs courses and outreach work, building positive relationships with convicted young offenders in three of the region’s prisons.
‘My story inspires the guys on the wings,’ says Nick. ‘I’ve experienced a lot of the same stuff that they have been through or are going through. I’m truthful about how eager I was to pursue a life of crime as a career.
‘And I can tell them that if it weren’t for God, I’d be dead – either by my own hand or someone else’s hand. I know that for a fact.
‘I can be a voice of hope and encouragement to them. I’m a walking testimony of what God’s done for me and what change is possible.’
Nick’s award, one of five, was presented at this year’s Urban Hero Awards at Manchester’s Palace Hotel on July 9. The awards recognise young people who stand out as having made major changes in their lives or particularly positive contributions to their communities.
Matt Hawthorne, a colleague on the Reflex team nominated Nick for the award. He fist met Nick eight years ago, when he was still deep in a life of crime. He witnessed Nick’s transformation 18 months ago and has been impressed with his passion and boldness since then:
‘I’ve seen his heart for serving and his gift for communication. He’s been leading loads of his friends from his old lifestyle to Jesus and out of crime, drugs and the occult.
‘I’ve nominated Nick because he has transformed his own life through an incredibly difficult past and is now inspiring and encouraging others around him.’
Nick’s award was presented by Paul Nadin of Jurang Fair Trade, the Award sponsor.