Stories that Inspire.
Victories to Celebrate.
Stay connected with all the good work the Mission is doing!
“I believe in giving”: Celebrating 10 Years of Faithful Service
Yolanda has been a dedicated volunteer at the shelter since 2015. She began her service in the pantry, carefully labeling and dating food items to ensure families received safe and organized meals. In 2022, when another volunteer stepped away, she stepped up without hesitation. She began picking up fresh food donations and delivering them to…
A box of hope, a heart full of gratitude
Humberto has been connected with the food bank program at La Voz Seventh Day Adventist Church in Sylmar for three years. A friend first told him about the program, and over time he asked if there were opportunities to volunteer. Now, he finds “great joy” in being part of the team that distributes food to…
Mission stay helps Sean find the right focus
Sean was diagnosed with ADD at a young age and prescribed medication to help him focus. Looking back, he sees how early patterns formed. “Taking Ritalin was a catalyst for me in creating the mindset that I needed to take something to focus.” High school was difficult. Although he had friends, he often felt like…
Easter renewal: Men made whole in God’s love
This is the third installment in a series chronicling this year’s theme of “Rescue.” This month, we look into the stories of six men, recounting their journey to a new life. As Christians, Easter is a time of profound meaning as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We acknowledge the price that was paid…
‘I’m in a very, very good place in my life right now’
Christy describes her childhood in one word: chaos. Growing up in the projects of Bakersfield with three siblings, she remembers constant screaming from her parents-especially her mother-and a deep sense of neglect. “My parents ate first and we ate last,” she recalled. “I remember the hunger. I remember it made me feel like they didn’t care…
Like many at the Mission, Felipe’s rescue began with a hot meal
This is the first story in a series chronicling this year’s theme of “Rescue.” This month, we look into Felipe’s story, recounting his journey to a new life. What does it mean to rescue someone? With some variation, dictionaries define rescue as to save someone from a dangerous or difficult situation. This implies a one-time…
Family of 5 finds safe place to start over
Until recently, Susan and Jose had stable housing and Jose was employed full-time. When the company he worked for unexpectedly went bankrupt, everything changed. Despite his efforts to find consistent work, employment became sporadic and the family strsuggled to make ends meet. Without steady income, they were unable to keep up with rent and eventually…
Job never knew love, until he came to the Mission
Growing up, Job didn’t know that the “aggressive” treatment he and his siblings endured wasn’t normal. “We thought it was okay to have parents like that, because we never had parents that weren’t like that. It was a very stressful journey in my life,” he said. “As a kid, I thought the other kids were…
Pathways of rescue for women and children
From safety to healing, stability, and hope When a woman comes into the shelter with her children, the first thing we do is let her know she is safe. She and her children have a place to rest their heads and feel secure. From there, we take time to talk with her and assess her…
Mike’s becoming his own man with Mission’s help
He’s finally saying no to peer pressure Mike’s rock bottom came in 2024. At 20 years old, he had recently gotten a DUI. “That devastated me,” he said. “I couldn’t believe it, it was idiocy. I’m just throwing my life down the drain at this point. And losing my job and the respect from people…
After incarceration, Amber gets a second chance
After incarceration, Amber gets a second chance Amber is unable to identify a clear reason for her drug and alcohol use. She was raised in a stable Christian home with both parents, where no one drank or used drugs-making her struggle all the more unexpected. But at 21, Amber’s boyfriend introduced her to marijuana and…
“I’m in a very, very good place in my life right now”
Christy describes her childhood in one word: chaos. Growing up in the projects of Bakersfield with three siblings, she remembers constant screaming from her parents-especially her mother-and a deep sense of neglect. “My parents ate first and we ate last,” she recalled. “I remember the hunger. I remember it made me feel like they didn’t…
