Stories that Inspire.
Victories to Celebrate.
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Keno is ‘living proof’ that change is possible
Keno, 50, recalls growing up in a “broken home. Not so much drugs, but a lot of alcohol and child abuse,” he said. “If dad was having a bad day, he’d come home from work, and we’d all absorb it from him.” It was at the age of 11, shared Keno, when everything started to…
Meet Luke Johnson, Director at RMA Central Coast
He was previously the men’s program manager In 2020, Luke Johnson joined the RMA Central Coast team as the Men’s Program Manager, a role that aligns perfectly with both his calling and his deep roots in the community. Born and raised on the Central Coast, Luke carries a genuine passion for serving the very community…
Program teaches Jasson it’s ‘okay to be vulnerable’
Jasson, born in El Salvador, was 2 years old when his mother moved to the United States to better support her son. “When she left, the first couple years I was bounced around with her friends or family,” he said. “They didn’t really want me there though. There was a lot of physical abuse. I…
Fighting hunger, feeding hope, fueling change
It all starts with a meal In April 2024, a stark reality was unfolding in Santa Maria. From the 101 overpass, visible on the dirt paths of the riverbed between Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, a sprawling encampment had taken root. Old tents, rusty, stolen bicycles, and dirty tarps stretched over dying plants…
The one message that changed Jocelyn’s life
Jocelyn’s early life was chaotic; her parents separated when she was young, and she primarily lived with her mother. “I wasn’t normalized into having a family. I was separated between holidays and weekends between my parents,” she said. “I mostly stayed with my mom, taking care of her. My mom was into partying, clubbing, drinking,…
Cesar appreciates support, accountability at the Mission
The youngest of 13 children, Cesar was raised by a single mother after his parents separated shortly after his birth. He never saw his father again. That early abandonment became the root of much of the trauma he would carry throughout his life.”I started drugs at a very young age. My mom wasn’t around very…
For Abel, one piece of advice made all the difference
When Abel first entered the program, he never imagined he’d graduate. It’s taken five attempts to get to this moment. But this time is different. Abel is not just clean and sober-he’s thriving, deeply rooted in faith, humility, and a determination to leave a legacy his grandchildren can be proud of. Born and raised in…
April vows to hold onto God’s promise ‘every step of the way’
For most of her life, April carried burdens that weren’t hers to bear. Growing up in a dysfunctional home, she became the caretaker of her family long before adulthood. “My dad was abusive to my mom, and I was the one who had to stop the fights and make sure my brothers were okay,” she…
Finding purpose in sacrifice: a journey to the Mission
David is the men’s program case manager For David Chang, faith was something he grew up with. Raised in the Bay Area after immigrating from Taiwan at the age of 6, he spent his youth immersed in church life-attending services, playing piano for worship, and checking all the “right boxes.” Yet, he now reflects on…
Yesenia isn’t just surviving—she’s thriving
She no longer feels alone Yesenia’s life is a testament to resilience. Born into a large family in Cambria, she was the second youngest of 13 children. Her early years were marked by chaos, neglect, and abuse. By age 6, she had already experienced trauma no child should ever have to endure-molested by her father…
For Luis, Mission’s support continues even after graduation
Luis couldn’t bear to bring his mother anymore pain. “I was really hooked on drugs. My family saw me in the backyard, strung out, and my mom was crying. When I saw my mom crying, I wanted to use drugs more (because) I felt terrible. I wanted to overdose a couple of times, but I…
Rudy’s faithful journey from trauma to transformation
He knows God is with him When Rudy entered the doors of the Mission, he carried decades of pain-wounds from childhood trauma, years of addiction, broken trust, and the weight of shame. But he also carried something else: hope. Hope that God hadn’t given up on him. Hope that healing was possible.Rudy grew up in…
