SHARE CHRISTMAS HOPE.

[00:01] With forty percent of california's homeless population living in southern california brokenness meets us at every turn.

[00:15] Hopelessness is etched in the faces of those who are experiencing more pain than most of us will ever know. Fear, hunger, addiction, depression, abuse the list goes on and on

[00:29] Being homeless was a nightmare. I started drinking because it made it all the bad comfortable. My life was just consistently waking up hungry desiring drugs and alcohol.

[00:41] I was starving myself to make sure my child ate. Breakfast, lunch and dinner

[00:48] You're isolated so it's lonely. There's no nice warm home to go to at the end of the day.

[00:54] And somewhere deep inside all this pain is the feeling that there must be something more.

[01:01] I'd come to a point where there was no reason in my life anymore to do anything.

[01:06] I was sleeping in my car and i'm like is this how it's supposed to me.

[01:11] Two years go by almost and still drinking so i knew i needed a change.

[01:18] Since 1972 Rescue Mission Alliance has been a place where people in desperate situations like these have been able to discover something else, something different, something more More than simply meeting immediate needs, committed to reducing homelessness restoring lives and families and equipping those who come to us to become thriving contributing members of society

[01:45] Every day hurting people come in for shelter and a meal but what they find so much more.

[01:50] At Rescue Mission Alliance we provide a place of refuge recovery and restoration for men women and children who struggle with homelessness, addiction, and trauma. This happens every day at our four missions scattered at strategic points throughout Southern California. In Oxnard, Northridge, Santa Maria, Victorville & The Valley Food Bank in Pacoima.

[02:12] Each mission provides a variety of services that help meet the specific needs of their own communities. These sevices include refuge in an overnight shelter, hot meals, food boxes and a food bank for those expierience food insecurity. It's here that over 4 1/2 million pounds of food is distrubited to thousands of needy families each year. We can provide mobile showers for those who live on the streets, with nowhere to turn for their basic hygene needs.

[02:42] Our missions can also provide recovery program for men and women who've experienced addictions, abuse, or trauma. Counselling services, bible studies and opportunities for stable housing are also available.

[02:56] Plus restoration can come through GED programs, as well as vocational and job skill training, both in the classroom and in one of our six thrift stores. In fact, it's here where residents are given a chance to develop valuable work skills from inventory control to effective management.

[03:16] Plus each store offers residents in the community a low cost alternative to expensive clothing and household goods as well as volunteer and employment opportunities. All while generating significant income for each mission to continue it's much needed ministry.

[03:35] In addition to all of this, thousands of people are served each year in one of our community outreach events at thanksgiving, christmas and easter. Our hope is that those we serve will embrace the abundant life in Christ as we train, equip, coach and provide whatever is needed, to give them more than they could have possibly imagined when they first walked through our doors.

[03:55] None of this happens without the support of our community. This includes church and business partnerships, but most of our support comes from individuals who give and volunteer their time and who've chosen to make a difference in the life of those who can't provide for themselves.

[04:10] With your help, those with so much need, can expierience so much more of the abundant life that Christ has for them.

[04:20] More joy, more purpose, more love, more thankfulness, more life, more hope.