Stories that Inspire.
Victories to Celebrate.
Stay connected with all the good work the Mission is doing!
Rebecca hit rock bottom, now she leads program women
In 2020, Rebecca joined the Lighthouse as Guest Service Associate and was promoted to Case Manager in 2022. Recently, she proudly celebrated five years of dedicated service at the Mission. Rebecca’s journey with the Lighthouse began long before her employment- she is a graduate of our Life Recovery Program, completing the program in 2016 before…
Rescued from the river bottom, Tony is ‘overwhelmed with gratitude’
Tony remembers vividly the moment God rescued him. “I had originally gone to the river bottom thinking I was going to help others that were living there, but soon I was fully back into my addictions. I ended up living there as well.”Tony lived in the river bottom for years, never seeming to see a…
Director’s Note
It is more blessed to give than to receive Volunteering is a powerful thing. It is an act of service to others for no other reason than to provide help and blessings with no expectation for anything in return. Yet, when we volunteer, we often find that we receive more than we give. This message…
This Christmas, Luis has “a real peace” in his heart
This is the final story in a series chronicling this year’s theme of “Access and Opening Doors.” This month, we look into Luis’ story, recounting his journey to a new life. Luis smiled when he recalled December of 2023. “It was my first Christmas with my three boys in years,” he said, “and we all…
Desiree knows ‘God isn’t done with me yet’
Desiree was raised in Oxnard, where she grew up as the oldest of two children in a single-parent household. Her mother worked constantly, leaving Desiree to care for herself and her younger brother. With her mother rarely home and caught up in street life, Desiree learned to look to the streets for belonging. “The street…
RMA VC is breaking bread, building futures
The holidays are upon us and for most of us it is a time of gifts, gatherings, and sharing our good fortune over generous and sometimes extravagant meals. Many of us take all of this for granted, not giving much thought, if any, to what it means to always have enough to eat. Never thinking…
Rozlyn wanted to leave, until she found community
Rozlyn, 20, dropped out of high school after her mother started disappearing. “My mom began leaving our apartment for weeks, even months at a time, and left me by myself,” Rozlyn shared. The frequent absence of her mother had lasting consequences for Rozlyn. “I didn’t feel motivated to get up. I was just very depressed.”…
RMA VC thrives thanks to new and seasoned volunteers
This month we feature two volunteers: one who has been serving with RMA VC for a short time, and one who has been serving for over a decade. Both bring a heart to serve and a love for people in need. Mike Gregory Long-time volunteer Mike Gregory happens to also be an award-winning lapidarist (someone…
J.R. is “breaking chains” as he becomes a leader to program men
His path from graduate to house manager is inspiring This is the seventh story in a series chronicling this year’s theme of “Access and Opening Doors.” For this month’s profile, we sat down with new House Manager and Life Recovery Program Graduate J.R. His life was consumed by drug abuse, broken relationships, and lost opportunities;…
After years of volunteering, Darlene joins the team
In March 2025, Darlene joined the RMA Ventura County team as the Community Engagement and Volunteer Coordinator. After 20 years as an executive in women’s footwear, Darlene was longing for something more “meaningful” and “impactful.” Initially only volunteering at the Lighthouse, Darlene ultimately learned that ministry “is where my heart beats the loudest,” she said.…
Director’s Note
This year we will center our goals around the following theme: Engage Have you ever found yourself at a social function only to realize that you don’t know anyone? For some, this is no big deal-you’re the naturally gregarious type who thrives on working the room, telling great stories and leaving with 20 new life-long…
Director’s Note
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month It might surprise you to hear that in Ventura County alone, there were about 7,000 domestic violence allegations made in 2020, according to the Ventura County Family Justice Center. Domestic Violence is a massive problem in our area that often goes unnoticed and unreported. The violence often includes…
