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Victories to Celebrate.
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Men’s program manager relishes in residents’ transformation
John Schmidt has worked for RMA Victor Valley for over 15 years. After being saved at 21, and completing a recovery program himself, John was a pastor for 17 ½ years before he came to the Mission. Now, he uses his experience and his heart for people and relationships as the men’s program manager. When…
Victoria will fight for all human trafficking victims
She’s currently on full scholarship studying criminal justice It took Victoria years to realize she was trafficked by someone she loved. Victoria grew up in a household where she “knew she wasn’t wanted.” Her teenage mother was forced to marry an abusive, alcoholic man, creating a toxic home environment, and at the age of 9,…
With new position, Robert is ‘being guided to a better future’
He’s also helping others in the program find purpose As a combat veteran who spent 14 years in the Marine Corp Infantry, RMA VC’s new Ministry Resident Robert has many stories of close calls. On a recent night, while taking a break from working with volunteers, Robert recounted the time when he and his platoon…
A full work week is still not covering the bills
Aurora is grateful for weekly assistance with groceries she receives Aurora lives in the city of San Fernando. She needs to work seven days a week to cover her expenses, but even with all of that effort, she falls short. “I heard about the food bank at the Lighthouse of San Fernando and came to…
Gael and his grandma are blessed by the La Voz pantry
The two of them visit each week for supplies Earlier this year, Gael and his grandma, Maria, were walking home from school and passed by the pantry at La Voz Sylmar Seventh-Day Adventist Church. Maria saw a few people waiting in the parking lot and decided to inquire about the line. She was told that…
After 3 days without food, Oscar finds pantry, church
He now volunteers and is part of the Oasis congregation Oscar came to the pantry at Oasis Foursquare Church around the end of September 2022. Before he arrived, he had gone three full days without food. Oscar didn’t have a job, had been hurt, and had no family around him. He started congregating at Oasis,…
‘Life is more beautiful this side of recovery’
A year of sobriety brings peace “I grew up thinking I wasn’t really part of my family,” Javier said, when asked about his childhood. “I didn’t think my stepdad loved me, because I wasn’t his, but my siblings were. I felt like I didn’t belong.” By 13, Javier was using drugs. By 17, Javier was…
Trevor overcomes addiction, becomes house manager at Mission
He’s also working on his college degree Moe was loose again. The 500-pound black bear had made it past two electric fence barriers to escape and now the staff at the zoo was attempting to get him safely back to where he belonged. Trevor and others on ATVs had corralled Moe near the gate and…
Meet RMA VC Chaplain Reed Gibson
In 2022, Reed Gibson joined the RMA Ventura County team as a chaplain. After 20 years as an engineer, Reed decided to focus more on his heart for ministry and community. Reed uses his prior experience as a youth pastor to now “live his dream” of full-time ministry. He’s also excited to share his love…
Susan is planning to ‘take God with her’
In 2003, Susan and her then-9-year-old daughter, Paula, were thrilled with the opportunity to move in with Susan’s son in Oxnard. Susan loved that she would be closer to her older children, and she was excited to explore an area she’d never been before. However, shortly after relocating, her son’s landlord told them they could…
Beloved volunteer retires after 15 years of service
Joyce shares her story to help others For the past 15 years, Joyce Rothschild faithfully came to the Mission to serve our guests. Joyce’s heart for serving our unsheltered neighbors and friends was joyfully obvious. Joyce distributed meals, hygiene kits, blankets, emergency clothing, bus passes, and more. She memorized our informational guide to better help…
Phillip stops addiction cycle, graduates program
‘Alcohol kept intervening’ throughout his life Phillip was raised “European in America,” he said, as his French parents had immigrated and had him and his brother in the U.S. He was a “straight-A student, and a hard worker. That was the number-one emphasis in our family, was that you work hard. I took on too…
