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As Jose nears 50, he commits to growth
ENGLISH SPANISH Jose is a current resident at Renewed Hope, the men’s Life Recovery Program at RMA SFV. This is his story: Jose said that when he was a kid growing up in Oxnard, he had more energy than the average child. In fact, he was diagnosed with Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) when he was…
New program manager focuses on ‘God’s restoration in men’
Oscar feels prepared to minister to Renewed Hope residents As the new Program Manager of the men’s Life Recovery Program at Renewed Hope, Oscar said he’s feeling most fulfilled when he’s ministering to the men. “Restoring men is restoring families,” he said. “It’s not just about the man, it’s restoring his legacy and the generations…
Mom, 4 children regroup at Home Again after tough year
Jennifer struggled after losing her mother After a “hard, tough year,” Jennifer said she knew things needed to change. In 2023, Jennifer’s mother, who she was very close with, passed away from anemia complications and colon cancer. “We grew up without a dad figure,”she said. “It was just my mom, so it was sometimes hard……
Erika is ‘walking into the light’ after years of darkness
She is excitedly welcoming Jesus into her life While her life didn’t go the traditional route, Erika was more or less “the responsible one” for most of her young life. She grew up in San Luis Obispo in a “dysfunctional family, so everything that comes with that,” Erika said, “verbal abuse, physical, visitation fights, substance…
Erik is in it for ‘the long run’ and committed to change
After 5 months in the Mission’s Life Recovery Program, he has a relationship with God for the first time Last year, while under the influence of drugs and alcohol, Erik decided he wanted to drive from his home in San Jose to Tijuana. “I hadn’t slept for days,” he said. “I was hearing voices. I…
Elena gets baptized, finds hope and excitement for future
Elena was born in Guatemala City and moved to Los Angeles with her mother before she was 10. They eventually moved to Apple Valley, where they lived for 20 years. When Elena’s mother began to have “personal problems” with family members, she planned to move out of the city, and told Elena that she could…
Jimmy begins to rebuild his life after relapse
Jimmy grew up in foster care until he was 17. At that point he “bounced around the East Coast,” he said. “I was a little bit like a rolling stone.” With not much to tether him, Jimmy decided to join the military. “I didthat for four years and then I came back, but I realized…
Derrick leaves ‘hustler’ lifestyle behind, becomes the father God called him to be
Continuing our 2024 focus on “Engagement,” we follow Derrick as he re-engages with family, work, and church. On Sunday mornings you can find program graduate Derrick and his son Isaiah at the Church for the Nations in downtown Oxnard. This was Derrick’s childhood church, and he is overjoyed being back there and seeing his son’s…
Program gives Delphina time to heal from years of abuse
She’s recognizing generational trauma and patterns “It’s kind of a long story,” Delphina says when asked about her upbringing. She explains her mother was “really into drugs and partying” and often cheated on her partner. Delphina and her sisters were the products of these affairs. “We all had his last name, but he never treated…
Women look to local pantries to help stay afloat
LaTashia LaTashia became a single parent shortly after giving birth to her now 6-year-old daughter. LaTashia’s income from her job at that time was barely enough to pay the rent, bills and daycare. “I prayed for help, but because of my pride, I never thought about getting food from the food pantry ministry of the…
Monica’s stress eased after finding La Voz pantry
She and her husband are able to stay on top of bills with this food supplement Monica started visiting the pantry at La Voz Sylmar Seventh-Day Adventist Church about six months ago when her hours were cut at work. She was so worried about how they would make it, how she could continue helping her…
Danna and Bill feel “special” after getting help from Lighthouse pantry
Danna and Bill live near Lighthouse of San Fernando Valley church. They are seniors and retired, and have found themselves falling short financially. Bill also recently underwent heart surgery. A neighbor told them about the food pantry held every Friday at the Lighthouse, and they came to visit. They are so happy to be able…
