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Gina spent her life helping others, until she needed help herself
“I’m so grateful to the Mission; you literally rescued my life,” Gina said quietly. For over 20 years, Gina worked as a certified nursing assistant. Helping others was something she always wanted to do, and it brought her immense joy. “I’ve loved taking care of people, helping people. I got my CNA license when I…
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…
Program teaches Jasson it’s ‘okay to be vulnerable’
Jasson, born in El Salvador, was 2 years old when his mother moved to the United States to better support her son. “When she left, the first couple years I was bounced around with her friends or family,” he said. “They didn’t really want me there though. There was a lot of physical abuse. I…
From the heart of Home Again and Renewed Hope
One meal can change everything At Home Again and Renewed Hope, we’ve learned something powerful: sometimes, all it takes to begin a new chapter is a warm meal. For a parent arriving with their children after days of uncertainty, a hot dinner reminds them they’re no longer alone. For a man coming off the streets…
The ‘gift of desperation’ changed Jose’s life
Before coming to the Mission, Jose recalls being “completely lost and broken,” he shared. “I was submerged with no hope, no vision. I was wandering around with no future. I was drowning in my own misery. It got really bad.” Growing up, Jose felt alone. With parents who were always working, he often returned to…
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.…
Fighting hunger, feeding hope, fueling change
It all starts with a meal In April 2024, a stark reality was unfolding in Santa Maria. From the 101 overpass, visible on the dirt paths of the riverbed between Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, a sprawling encampment had taken root. Old tents, rusty, stolen bicycles, and dirty tarps stretched over dying plants…
The one message that changed Jocelyn’s life
Jocelyn’s early life was chaotic; her parents separated when she was young, and she primarily lived with her mother. “I wasn’t normalized into having a family. I was separated between holidays and weekends between my parents,” she said. “I mostly stayed with my mom, taking care of her. My mom was into partying, clubbing, drinking,…
Three decades later, Javier finds it’s never too late for hope
His new life begins now For nearly 30 years, Javier’s life was consumed by addiction, chaos, and broken relationships. Starting at just 12 years old, he fell into a deep cycle of drug and alcohol use that eventually left him estranged from his wife and children, homeless, and hopeless. “I didn’t believe in anything, not…
Patti, her two sons, find safety, community at shelter
She never expected to need the Mission When Patti walked into the shelter with her two young sons, Jonathan and Nathan, it was with a heart full of hope and a fierce determination to find safety. Life had taken a sharp turn. Though Patti once had steady employment, losing her job meant losing their home.…
