Stories that Inspire.
Victories to Celebrate.
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KIMBERLY FINDS A JOB, AND STABILITY IN WOMEN’S SHELTER AFTER GETTING CLEAN
Frequently moving from one rental to another and jumping from state to state, Kimberly recalls her childhood being “fine, but unstable.” In her late teens, Kimberly’s mom left the family, leaving her and her two siblings to be cared for by her stepfather. “He was a dad to us. He took care of us.” In…
VOLUNTEER PROVIDES PERSPECTIVE AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO THOSE IN NEED
When Al Barnett volunteers at the Mission, he officially is a driver. He drives the mobile shower unit over to its Wednesday spot by the Mission, and sets up shop for the many who will visit that day for a hot shower, a meal, and other services. But what he’s really doing is making a…
RODNEY REALIZES THE VOID HE WAS FILLING WITH DRUGS WAS MEANT TO BE FILLED WITH GOD
Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, Rodney’s family was “close knit,” he said. “They had a lot of love, but there were also a lot of secrets.” When Rodney was 14 years old, he started using drugs to deal with the death of his mother. Being the youngest of 11 children, Rodney was…
JOSEPH REFLECTS UPON POST-DIVORCE DEPRESSION AND ADDICTION
He’s now focused on God’s love and forgiveness “I was raised right!” If someone were to ask Joseph about his childhood and his family values, this is the answer they would get. Joseph was born in Torrance and has “great memories” of his childhood. After his dad tragically died in a motorcycle accident when he…
CURTIS FINDS THE BELONGING HE WAS ALWAYS SEARCHING FOR IN GOD
The early years of Curtis’ life were filled with uncertainty and many changes within his home. Curtis and his mom were very close, especially after his dad left when he was only 6 months old. Curtis’ mom got remarried to an abusive man and he carried the weight of protecting her. “My mom was the…
SHALET FINDS STABILITY, RESTORATION OF FAITH, WHILE STAYING AT SHELTER
She’s hoping to be reunited with her children Childhood was not easy for Shalet. She was the oldest of four and in the early years, her family moved several times between Chico and Pomona. “I helped my mom a lot with my brothers and sister,” Shalet said, “but then she died and it was really…
MICHELLE VOLUNTEERS TO MAKE PEOPLE FEEL SEEN, SAFE, AND LOVED
Michelle Downs has dedicated the last 20-plus years of her life to her family as a stay-at-home mother to her three daughters. “After they all graduated, I felt like I was fired,” she said. Michelle found herself with more time on her hands than she liked. She knew she still had so much to offer…
LOIS LEAVES STREET LIFE BEHIND AND FINDS THE MISSION’S WOMEN’S SHELTER
Being raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Lois had great memories from her childhood. Her parents were married and out of all her siblings she was “the spoiled one,” Lois said. “Although my father struggled with drinking, I remember my childhood being a great one.” After Lois graduated high school, she went on to college and received…
From Skid Row resident to Mission volunteer
John takes his role as a mentor to program men seriously John has made his past purposeful through volunteering at the Victor Valley Rescue Mission for the last eight years. He knows what it is like to be without a home and to feel hopeless. “We all come from broken homes,” he said. “We almost…
Bill’s Boots on the Ground
What can you testify to? If you could see the future, what would you want to see? I am sure we could all name many things of all different sorts, and they would mostly have to do with our life. In my prayer time I was thanking God for my testimony that He made possible.…
Ray celebrates his graduation at long-overdue ceremony
“The Mission saved my life.” These are the first words out of Ray Vaughn’s mouth when sharing his story from addiction to recovery. Life had not been easy for Ray. He grew up in Santa Monica one of five children to a former Marine father who was abusive. He recalls his childhood as being “rocky…
Bill’s boots on the ground
Freedom. It’s what was celebrated all across the United States on the 4th of July. However, in my experience, freedom is not recognized by all here in our country. I am talking about the guests of the Mission. Some struggle everyday to understand freedom, as they are slaves to sin. So many of the success…
