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Maria plans to help others after graduation
She was living on the streets before her arrival “It wasn’t a really good childhood,” Maria recalled. After relocating from Mexico to Santa Maria at the age of 7, Maria and her family – 10 people in total – lived in a single hotel room for 10 years. Maria’s mom and dad worked in the…
Program gives Dean time to regroup, focus on scripture
He encourages others to find God Dean knows it’s a “blessing” for him to still be alive. While intoxicated, Dean crashed into a car and broke his neck. However, because the other driver was on his cellphone at the time, Dean “got out of it.” A couple years later, under the influence, Dean went over…
Kenneth is sober, employed, and engaged, 7 years after graduation
Looking back on his childhood in Compton, Kenneth feels like he “raised himself.” His father was in the military and was often away, and his mother died when he was just 4 years old-a fact that was kept from him for years. “I didn’t know my mother passed away until I was 6. No one…
Saying goodbye to a faithful Mission servant
Outreach Coordinator Mike Meyer passed away on March 10 The Mission has said goodbye to one of its most loyal supporters. Outreach Coordinator-and Life Recovery Program graduate-Walter “Mike” Meyer passed away on March 10. Mike came to the Mission through the Survival Outreach Services (SOS) Shower Program in 2012. He was long-unsheltered and in need…
Program helps Nadine find her ‘new beginning’
ENGLISH SPANISH Nadine, now 39, started smoking meth with friends at 17. When she had her first son, Brennan, at 19, she was clean during her pregnancy but relapsed a couple years later. This cycle continued when she had two more sons, Abel and Joshua. By the time her youngest was 4, Nadine was back…
After relapse, Ryan asks for help, enters sister mission
Ryan grew up playing sports, but also with a rare disease, which causes deterioration of the bones in the knees. “It’s like osteoporosis in kids,” he said. “They don’t know how to treat it or really how to manage it.” Ryan had more than a dozen knee surgeries throughout his late teens and 20s. With…
3 years post-graduation and cancer-free, ‘Life is good,’ Brian says
Entering the program on his own accord was crucial to his success Brian got his cancer diagnosis in June of last year. After troubling results on a routine screen, further tests showed that he had prostate cancer. “My heart sank when I got the news in the doctor’s office,” he recalled, “but as soon as…
Nonprofit grows from Lighthouse volunteerism
HER Life Journey continues to bless women While Elena Rosas, a successful hairstylist in Ventura County, was thriving in her industry and growing her business, she remained unfulfilled, and began praying to God to reveal her true purpose. She wanted to find ways to use the talent and gifts the Lord had given her, and…
Giuseppe ‘Chef G’ begins his newest adventure as Mission chef
Bringing almost a decade worth of experience in the culinary field, Giuseppe, or ‘Chef G’ as many call him, is excited to be the new chef at Rescue Mission Alliance San Fernando Valley. Though ‘typical’ isn’t a word Giuseppe would use to describe his career, he’s looking forward to sharing his unique perspective with the…
Scott creates simple list to thank local pantry
This list is “simply put,” why the food pantry is such a blessing to Scott. He wrote: “Simply Put: I come to the food pantry for the great food, which helps my monthly budget as my finances have been more difficult to handle. I appreciate the hot meal that is prepared for lunch. I am…
Eva is no longer ashamed of asking for help
Eva has been visiting the food pantry at La Voz Seventh-Day Adventist Church for about a year. “One never thinks they would have that need, but my children’s tuition was diminishing my savings,” Eva said. “We had the help of sports scholarships, which helped relieve the payments, but when my son had to move out…
Veteran is grateful he happened upon Common Grounds pantry
John, a 72-year-old veteran, was on the bus and noticed a lot of activity at Reseda United Methodist Church. He decided to stop by one day, and was glad he did, as he felt very welcomed to the Kingdom Common Grounds Food Pantry. John enjoyed a hot lunch and fellowship before coming out to the…
