Stories that Inspire.
Victories to Celebrate.
Stay connected with all the good work the Mission is doing!
Beatrice ‘fully commits’ to program, celebrates over one year of recovery
Grief, addiction, led her to the river bottom Beatrice wasn’t used to being indoors. After years of homelessness and living at the Santa Paula river bottom, Beatrice felt more comfortable outside. She could come and go as she pleased, pretend she was camping, and make her own rules. But it wasn’t always this way. “Grief…
Director’s note: A year of hope and transformation
As we embark on a new fiscal year, it’s a perfect time to reflect on the incredible achievements we’ve accomplished together at Rescue Mission Alliance San Fernando Valley. Your unwavering support has been the backbone of our success, and we are filled with gratitude as we share these highlights. In the past year, our family…
Rodolfo is committed to doing the program with his ‘whole heart’
Rodolfo was born in the United States but moved to a ranch in Mexico with his family when he was 4 years old. His addiction started when he was 12, after Rodolfo’s older brother began sneaking him beer. From there, his drinking increased, and he began using drugs. When Rodolfo was 18, he moved back…
Post-program, Joe enjoys watching the other men grow
He is serving as a vocational resident and is looking into truck driving school Joe recalls a nice upbringing. “My mom and dad were married forever,” he said. “I had an Air Force dad and my mom stayed at home and raised us. I played baseball and other sports and, to me, I had a…
Director’s Note: Moving through seasons of sowing
How many of you have planted a garden or grown something in a pot? I am sure most of you are saying, ‘Yes, I have sowed seeds and grown amazing things.’ Here at the Mission, we are constantly sowing, sharing the Gospel with so many of our unhoused guests, and sometimes we get to harvest…
Angel finds peace, rediscovers his drive at Mission
“I couldn’t kill myself, so I wanted the cops to come in and shoot me,” Angel said. After years of turmoil, disappointment, heartbreak, and his mother’s death, an intoxicated Angel wanted to end his life. A fight with his father right before the incident was Angel’s breaking point. “I was holding everything in for a…
Gabby fights longtime addiction, approaches year of sobriety
She hopes to inspire others to come to the Mission Since Gabby’s grandparents and parents were both in their addiction during the majority of her childhood, Gabby was raised mostly by her great grandmother. “She would pick me up in the morning and I’d be with her all day long,” Gabby said. “She took me…
Emily believed in God and herself to overcome trials
Emily struggled with depression and self-harm very early in life, even attempting suicide in sixth grade. “It was the bullying at school, the cutting, not getting enough attention at home … I just didn’t want to be there. I was a really sad kid. And I became very rebellious.” Emily’s father died when she was…
Felix has hope after wasting years to addiction
Felix has spent most of his life suffering from addiction. “I’ve been an addict for 17 years. I’m 30 now,” he said, adding that he started smoking marijuana at 12. While he graduated high school and went to community college, Felix dropped out when he began using methamphetamines and his drinking increased. After a drunk…
Jose feels ‘at peace’ after graduating program
He’s now working full time with a Mission partner Jose grew up in Mexico and came to the United States when he was 15. “I grew up with my grandparents,” he said. “I didn’t have my dad with me and my mom was always at work. My grandparents recognized me as a son-they even gave…
Brandy works on overcoming trauma
She’s committed to healing through God Brandy is focusing on the positive. Despite having a lot of hard work ahead of her, she is happy to have found a safe place to live, a supportive sisterhood, and a blossoming relationship with God. “I’m just starting the Genesis Process, but I already know that I have…
Sara ‘never knew’ help was available until program stay
Now she’s graduated and is looking to the future “I just looked up one day and I was homeless,” Sara said when asked how she came to the Mission. Sara, originally from Mississippi, moved to California, but when her mother became ill, she moved back to help her parents. “My family is incredibly close, we’re…
